Key Points
- Yang Hengjun was arrested in August 2019 on suspicion of espionage.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong said "the Australian government is appalled by this outcome".
- Yang has denied working as a spy for Australia or the United States
The federal government has summoned the Chinese ambassador in Canberra to express "its objections" after Australian writer Yang Hengjun was handed a suspended death sentence by a court in Beijing.
Yang was arrested in August 2019 on suspicion of espionage and has
He was charged in 2021 with endangering national security by joining or accepting a mission from an unidentified espionage organisation, which carries a sentence ranging from three years in prison to death.
Yang, who is a pro-democracy activist, has denied working as a spy for Australia or the United States. Before being detained, he posted comments critical of China's government on social media.
His condition has worsened in his time in detention and, in August, Yang was told by medical authorities they had discovered a 10cm cyst on his kidney.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the outcome of the court proceedings in Beijing.
She said the death sentence would be commuted to life imprisonment after two years if Yang did not commit any serious crimes during that period.
"The Australian government is appalled by this outcome," Wong told reporters in Canberra after making the announcement.
When asked about how the commuting of the sentence would work, Wong said: "This is speculation which may or may not affect, or have a bearing, on those appeal options available to him."
Family 'devastated' by sentence
A spokesman for Yang's family said they were shocked and devastated by the news.
"We know our father has done nothing wrong," they said in a statement on Monday.
"He is in jail because he represents truth, democracy, respectful exchange of rational ideas."
Sydney-based scholar Feng Chongyi said it was a "serious case of injustice", adding that Yang had denied the charges. He urged the Australian government to seek medical parole for Yang.
China's ambassador summoned
Wong said the government would summon China’s ambassador to Australia to express its objections to the outcome.
But Australia would not recall its ambassador in China, she added.
"I have directed the secretary of my department to call in the Chinese ambassador to express Australia's concerns about this issue," Wong said.
She said Australia would not "relent" in its advocacy for justice for Yang, including ensuring he gets appropriate medical treatment.
"The Australian Government has advocated for Dr Yang with China at every opportunity and at the highest levels. We have consistently called for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment for Dr Yang in accordance with international norms and China's legal obligations.
"We will continue to provide consular assistance to him and his family. All Australians want to see Dr Yang reunited with his family."
She stressed that the decision was within China's legal system but, "clearly this is an occasion which we disagree".
"We're not in a position to comment on the specifics of Dr Yang's case. I would note that Australian officials were not able to attend Dr Yang's trial in 2021."
More reactions on the sentencing
Human rights organisation Amnesty International said it was horrified by the sentence.
"To this day, the Chinese authorities have failed to substantiate their allegations that Hengjun is a spy," Amnesty said in a statement.
"Rather, this sentence and his prosecution appear to be purely motivated by Hengjun's advocacy for democracy and because of his writings critical of the Chinese government."
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said all legal avenues needed to be explored.
"I'm sure Australians will be aghast and appalled at the decision of Chinese authorities to level a sentence of this nature against an Australian citizen," he said.
"It must be the top priority for the Albanese government in their engagement with Chinese officials to continue to advocate on Hengjun's behalf."
- with Reuters
