Chinese-Australian writer Yang sentenced to suspended death in China

The verdict in the case of Yang Hengjun, arrested on national security grounds, could weigh on the warming of relations between China and Australia.

An Australian writer and businessman detained in China on national security charges since 2019 was convicted and sentenced to death with two years of probation on Monday , according to the Australian newspaper. government, dealing a major blow to the warming of relations between Australia and China.

If businessman Yang Hengjun does not commit any crimes during of these two years, the sentence can be commuted to life in prison, said Penny Wong, Australian Foreign Minister, in a statement. She called the verdict "heartbreaking."

The long detention of Mr. Yang – also known by his legal name, Yang Jun – was one of the sources tensions between Australia and China. Now the harsh sentence could again weigh on relations, which had improved after the election of a new centre-left Labor government in Australia in 2022. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing at the end of last year and pushed for Mr Yang to communicate.

"The Australian government will communicate its response in the strongest possible terms," ​​he said. Ms Wong said, adding: “We have always called for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment of Dr Yang, in line with international standards and China's legal obligations. She said she had asked authorities to call Xiao Qian, China's ambassador to Australia.

Ms. Wong's statement did not provide any details about the specific charges against Mr. Yang or the crime of which he was convicted. The severity of the sentence suggests that a Chinese court found him guilty of espionage, for which he was tried in 2021.

ImagePrime Minister Anthony Albanese with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a visit to Beijing late last year, where Mr Albanese pushed for the release of M. Yang.Credit...Lukas Coch/EPA, via Shutterstock

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