Family fears Australian writer Yang Hengjun held in China for spying could die in jail as health worsens
- Australia’s foreign minister called for Yang’s immediate release and urged China’s authorities to ensure he received all necessary medical help
- The author, arrested in 2019, suffered from multiple health problems and said his guards had tortured him
Yang, a Chinese-born Australian national who’s also known as Yang Jun, became well-known as a commentator in China. His arrest in China for spying was announced in August 2019 and came months after he was detained in Guangzhou. Yang has denied the allegations in a case that has inflamed tensions between Beijing and Canberra.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Tuesday she was “extremely concerned” about Yang’s health, and called on China’s authorities to ensure he received all necessary medical help. Payne called for Yang to be released and allowed to return to Australia.
Australia accuses China of justice failure in Yang Hengjun spy case
His family said Yang was suffering from dizzy spells, high blood pressure, gout and high uric acid. Recent blood tests showed Yang had high levels of creatinine, which can signify impaired kidney function.
“Yang must not be left to die through medical neglect and mistreatment, like so many other writers and public intellectuals who are passionately committed to a better future for the Chinese people,” the family said in the statement.
China has previously said that Yang’s rights are being fully protected and that the case involves state secrets, slamming Australia’s criticisms on closing the trial.
In a statement dictated by Yang and released by his family, the writer said his guards had tortured him.
“When I was outside, one of my objectives was to advocate for rule of law. I didn’t believe that I would end up becoming a victim of rule by power,” Yang said.
Australian writer Yang Hengjun detained in China vows to ‘fight to the end’
The Australian government said Yang has only been given limited or delayed access to legal representation since he was detained and the embassy had not been able to attend his trial in May 2021.
Human Rights Watch Australia director Elaine Pearson said the Australian government needs to look at all avenues beyond releasing statements.
“International pressure needs to come, in terms of democracies working together to hold the Chinese government to account,” she said.
