In a distressing plea for help, the family of Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer imprisoned in China on espionage charges, is urging their government to urgently secure his release. After nearly five years of detention, his sons have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, requesting immediate action to save their father’s life. The timing of the plea coincides with Albanese’s high-profile visit to Beijing in an attempt to mend ties between the two countries. With Yang’s health rapidly declining in recent weeks, his family fears for his well-being and is desperate for assistance from their government.
Yang Hengjun’s trial was conducted secretly in 2021, and specific charges against him have not been publicly disclosed. His sons, who had previously remained silent about his detention, were inspired to take action following the recent release of Australian journalist Cheng Lei. They implore Prime Minister Albanese to emphasize that stabilizing the bilateral relationship with China is impossible as long as an Australian citizen remains unjustly imprisoned just a few kilometers south of his visit.
Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to China marks the first time an Australian leader has set foot in the country since 2016, amid a series of contentious disputes that resulted in the suspension of high-level meetings. During his trip, Albanese is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. This visit presents a crucial opportunity for diplomatic engagement, and the fate of Yang Hengjun hangs in the balance.
Dr. Yang, a former employee of China’s Ministry of State Security, had embarked on a successful career as a scholar and novelist in Australia. He extensively wrote about Chinese affairs on his blog, earning him the nickname “democracy peddler.” Despite addressing sensitive topics, his writings skillfully avoided direct criticisms of the Chinese government.
The 57-year-old writer was apprehended at Guangzhou airport in January 2019 on charges of espionage. Since then, his case has largely unfolded behind closed doors. Although Australian officials have previously expressed concerns about his treatment, China’s foreign ministry has repeatedly warned against interference and emphasized its “judicial sovereignty.”
According to Yang Hengjun’s family, he has endured more than 300 interrogations and six months of intense torture while in detention. His health deteriorated significantly when a large cyst was discovered on his kidney in August, impairing his ability to walk and confining him to his cell. Shockingly, Chinese authorities failed to inform him about the cyst despite its identification during initial health checks upon his detention. As a result, Yang remains uncertain about the cause of his recurring collapses and is apprehensive about the effectiveness and intentions of his prescribed medication.
Yang’s desperate plea for survival can be heard through the words shared in the letter from his family. “I’m sick, I’m weak, I’m dying… I just hope I will be able to get out alive,” he implores. His case symbolizes the alarming erosion of human rights and the need for global attention and intervention.
As Prime Minister Albanese embarks on his groundbreaking trip to China, the plight of Yang Hengjun demands immediate consideration. It is crucial for the Australian government to prioritize his release and highlight the importance of protecting its citizens abroad. The international community must rally behind this cause, ensuring that the case of Yang Hengjun becomes a catalyst for change and an impassioned plea for justice.
