China slams Marise Payne's 'deplorable' comments about its handling of detained Australian Yang Hengjun
3 years, 7 months ago

China slams Marise Payne's 'deplorable' comments about its handling of detained Australian Yang Hengjun

ABC  

China has taken aim at Foreign Minister Marise Payne, labelling her comments that Beijing has kept Australia in the dark about espionage charges against Australian citizen Yang Hengjun as "deplorable". Key points: Yang Hengjun's trial will take place behind closed doors on May 27 Senator Payne said Dr Yang had no access to his family and limited access to his legal representation since his detention The Chinese embassy in Canberra says Australia should "respect China's judicial sovereignty" Dr Yang, 56, has been languishing behind bars for more than two years, denying the charges levelled at him and claiming to be a victim of political persecution. "We are frustrated that the Chinese government has failed to provide information and transparency when it comes to the charges against Dr Yang," Shadow Home Affairs Minister Kristina Keneally said. Senator Keneally would not be drawn on whether she believed Australia's strained diplomatic relationship with China harmed Dr Yang's case, and she said the matter was "sensitive".

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History of this topic

Former spy for China's secret police reveals operations targeting dissidents in Australia and overseas
7 months, 1 week ago

Former spy for China's secret police reveals operations targeting dissidents in Australia and overseas

ABC  

In short: A former spy for China's secret police has revealed his identity and exposed how the regime targets people overseas who are critical of the Chinese government. A former spy for China's secret police has revealed his identity and exposed how the regime targets people overseas who are critical of the Chinese government. 阅读中文版 The inner workings of China's …

A Chinese court has given Australian writer Yang Hengjun a suspended death sentence. Here's why he's not appealing
10 months ago

A Chinese court has given Australian writer Yang Hengjun a suspended death sentence. Here's why he's not appealing

ABC  

In short: The family of Australian man Yang Hengjun, who was given a suspended death sentence in China earlier this month, has explained why he is not lodging an appeal. The family of Australian man Yang Hengjun, who was given a suspended death sentence in China earlier this month, has explained why he is not lodging an appeal. The family …

Australia appalled at China's suspended death sentence for writer Yang Hengjun
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Australia appalled at China's suspended death sentence for writer Yang Hengjun

The Hindu  

Australia says it is appalled at China's suspended death sentence for Chinese Australian writer and democracy blogger Yang Hengjun. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement on February 5 that it was “harrowing news for Dr. Yang, his family and all who have supported him.” Mr. Yang has been detained in China since Jan. 19, 2019, when he …

China gives suspended death sentence to Chinese Australian democracy blogger Yang Hengjun
10 months, 2 weeks ago

China gives suspended death sentence to Chinese Australian democracy blogger Yang Hengjun

Associated Press  

BEIJING — A Chinese court gave a suspended death sentence to a China-born Australian democracy blogger on Monday. “This is harrowing news for Dr. Yang, his family and all who have supported him.” Yang, a former Chinese diplomat and state security agent who became a political commentator and writer of spy novels in Australia, was detained on Jan. 19, 2019, …

Australian writer Yang Hengjun accused of spying in China is sentenced to DEATH
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Australian writer Yang Hengjun accused of spying in China is sentenced to DEATH

Daily Mail  

Australian writer Yang Hengjun has received a suspended death sentence in China, almost five years after he was initially arrested. Australian academic Yang Hengjun remains detained in a Chinese prison on espionage charges Dr Yang was first detained in 2019 over espionage charges, and was arrested in January 2019 at Guangzhou Airport, on his way to visit his sick brother. …

Australian writer Yang Hengjun sentenced to death on China spy charges
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Australian writer Yang Hengjun sentenced to death on China spy charges

Al Jazeera  

Yang has been imprisoned for five years on charges of espionage that he and Australia have rejected. Australian writer Yang Hengjun, who was arrested in China on espionage charges in 2019, has been handed a suspended death sentence by a court in Beijing. “The Australian government is appalled by this outcome,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters as she …

Supporters of jailed writer Yang Hengjun and other Australians jailed in China vow to continue fighting after Cheng Lei's release
1 year, 2 months ago

Supporters of jailed writer Yang Hengjun and other Australians jailed in China vow to continue fighting after Cheng Lei's release

ABC  

Supporters of imprisoned academic Yang Hengjun are vowing to renew their push for his freedom after the long-awaited release of Australian journalist Cheng Lei from jail in China. Key points: Writer Yang Hengjun was sentenced for espionage in 2021 but has yet to receive a verdict Details surrounding released journalist Cheng Lei's case remain unclear Other Australians are still being …

A Chinese Australian journalist detained for 3 years in China returns to Australia
1 year, 2 months ago

A Chinese Australian journalist detained for 3 years in China returns to Australia

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — A Chinese Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday. Thank you Aussies.” Albanese’s government has been lobbying for the release of Cheng and another Chinese Australian held in China since 2019, Yang Hengjun. Questioned by a reporter, Albanese …

Australian-Chinese journalist detained for 3 years in China returns to Australia
1 year, 2 months ago

Australian-Chinese journalist detained for 3 years in China returns to Australia

The Hindu  

A Chinese-Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on October 11. Mr. Albanese’s government has been lobbying for the release of Ms. Cheng and another Chinese-Australian held in China since 2019, Yang Hengjun. Mr. Albanese suggested that Ms. Cheng had recently been …

Journalist detained for three years in China returns to Australia
1 year, 2 months ago

Journalist detained for three years in China returns to Australia

LA Times  

Cheng Lei, a Chinese-born Australian journalist, has returned to Australia after being imprisoned for three years in China. A Chinese Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday. Thank you Aussies.” Albanese’s government has been lobbying for the release of Cheng and …

Chinese Australian writer fears dying in Beijing detention after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst
1 year, 3 months ago

Chinese Australian writer fears dying in Beijing detention after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Chinese Australian writer and democracy blogger Yang Hengjun has told his family he fears he will die in a Beijing detention center after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst, prompting supporters to demand his release for medical treatment. Asked about Yang at a daily news briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin declined to share …

Jailed Australian Yang Hengjun fears he will die in Chinese prison following grim medical diagnosis
1 year, 3 months ago

Jailed Australian Yang Hengjun fears he will die in Chinese prison following grim medical diagnosis

ABC  

Detained Australian democracy activist Yang Hengjun fears he will die a political prisoner in China after being told he has a large cyst on one of his kidneys. Key points: Yang Hengjun has been told he has a 10cm cyst on a kidney The jailed writer's supporters are calling for Australian-supervised treatment The government says it is "constantly" raising the …

Australia says ‘deep concerns’ over journalist detained in China
1 year, 8 months ago

Australia says ‘deep concerns’ over journalist detained in China

Al Jazeera  

Chinese-Australian Cheng Lei has yet to receive a verdict after more than two and a half years in detention. Australia has expressed “deep concerns” over delays in the case of a Chinese-Australian journalist who has been detained in China for more than two and half years on national security charges. Australian diplomats were prevented from attending the proceedings against Cheng, …

Australian government 'deeply troubled' by delays to writer Yang Hengjun's espionage trial verdict in China
1 year, 11 months ago

Australian government 'deeply troubled' by delays to writer Yang Hengjun's espionage trial verdict in China

ABC  

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the Australian government is "deeply troubled" after Chinese authorities delayed a verdict in the espionage trial of Australian writer Yang Hengjun until April — the seventh such delay. Key points: A Beijing court heard Dr Yang's trial in secret in May 2021 but the case against him has never been publicly disclosed He has denied …

Australian minister in China after long break in relations
2 years ago

Australian minister in China after long break in relations

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australia’s foreign minister is in …

Ahead of Beijing Visit, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Demands Release of 2 Citizens
2 years ago

Ahead of Beijing Visit, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Demands Release of 2 Citizens

News 18  

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday urged the release of citizens held in China, as she prepared to embark on a landmark visit to Beijing. Wong is set to be the first top Australian diplomat to visit China in four years, a trip aimed at thawing troubled relations. The two countries have sparred over political and moral issues — …

Australia FM to push for release of citizens during China visit
2 years ago

Australia FM to push for release of citizens during China visit

Al Jazeera  

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said she will press for the release of two Australian citizens held in China, as she prepared to embark on a landmark visit to Beijing — the first top Australian diplomat to visit the country in four years. In a sign of thawing relations between Australia and China, Canberra said on Tuesday that Wong …

China Congratulates Australia's Albanese in Hint at Thawing Ties
2 years, 7 months ago

China Congratulates Australia's Albanese in Hint at Thawing Ties

News 18  

Chinese premier Li Keqiang has sent a congratulatory note to newly elected Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, Beijing’s state media reported, ending a year-long freeze in diplomatic contact between the two countries. ‘Challenging pathway’ Deputy party leader Richard Marles — who is acting as premier while Albanese is in Tokyo — said Tuesday it will be a “challenging pathway forward” between …

China holds espionage trial of Chinese Australian journalist
2 years, 8 months ago

China holds espionage trial of Chinese Australian journalist

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Chinese Australian journalist Cheng Lei went on trial in Beijing on Thursday on espionage charges, with diplomats denied permission to attend the proceedings. “Australian citizen Cheng Lei is suspected of committing the crime of illegally providing state secrets to foreign countries, and the case involves state secrets, so the court held the trial in a closed session in …

China says Australia is trying to interfere with its legal system in case of Australian writer Yang Hengjun
2 years, 11 months ago

China says Australia is trying to interfere with its legal system in case of Australian writer Yang Hengjun

ABC  

China's foreign ministry spokesman says Australia is trying to interfere with its "judicial sovereignty" after Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne called for the immediate release of writer Yang Hengjun. Key points: Australian writer Yang Hengjun has been detained in China for three years The Australian government has called for the release of the 56-year-old Dr Yang, a democracy advocate is …

Chinese diplomat Wang Xining says he has no information on the secretive trial of Australian writer Yang Hengjun
3 years, 6 months ago

Chinese diplomat Wang Xining says he has no information on the secretive trial of Australian writer Yang Hengjun

ABC  

A senior Chinese diplomat in Canberra has admitted he has almost no information about the secretive trial of Australian writer Yang Hengjun. Key points: Mr Wang has conceded the embassy has been given little information about the trial of Australian Yang Hengjun Dr Yang pleaded not guilty to espionage in a closed Beijing court last week The top Chinese diplomat …

Australian Yang Hengjun proclaims his innocence after Chinese espionage trial
3 years, 6 months ago

Australian Yang Hengjun proclaims his innocence after Chinese espionage trial

ABC  

An Australian citizen tried for espionage in Beijing last week has told supporters he's "100 per cent innocent" and still isn't sure which country he's accused of spying for. Key points: Yang Hengjun's has given the first clear account of his trial in Beijing last week He insists he is only a writer, and does so only to promote "the …

Australian spy novelist Yang Hengjun faces China espionage trial
3 years, 6 months ago

Australian spy novelist Yang Hengjun faces China espionage trial

Al Jazeera  

The 56-year-old was detained in early 2019 in Guangzhou and is one of a number of foreigners facing charges of espionage. “But I was extremely lucky that I escaped the fate of Yang.” Feng says he and other liberals like Yang aim to “promote the rule of law, human rights and democratisation.” “And of course, by doing that, we criticise …

Detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun releases letter ahead of espionage trial in Beijing
3 years, 6 months ago

Detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun releases letter ahead of espionage trial in Beijing

ABC  

Australian writer Yang Hengjun says his health is deteriorating and has accused China's Government of "taking revenge" against him in a defiant message released the day before his long-awaited trial in Beijing. Key points: In the letter, Dr Yang says he has endured 26 months "without fresh air or sunshine" Dr Yang's trial will take place behind closed doors tomorrow …

Australian writer Yang Hengjun to face court in China next Thursday over espionage charge
3 years, 7 months ago

Australian writer Yang Hengjun to face court in China next Thursday over espionage charge

ABC  

Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne has called on China to allow diplomats to attend the trial next week of an Australian citizen accused of espionage. Key points: Dr Yang is charged with espionage, but Chinese authorities have not revealed any details of allegations against him Dr Yang's wife said her husband's lawyer has not been allowed to share any details …

Australian journalist arrested in China for 'supplying state secrets'
3 years, 10 months ago

Australian journalist arrested in China for 'supplying state secrets'

Deccan Chronicle  

Sydney: An Australian journalist who disappeared from Chinese state television's airwaves six months ago and was detained by Beijing authorities has been formally arrested for "supplying state secrets overseas". Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Monday that China had revealed it formally arrested Cheng Lei on February 5, after taking her into custody last August without explanation. The mother-of-two stands …

Australian journalist Cheng Lei formally arrested in China, says Foreign Minister Marise Payne
3 years, 10 months ago

Australian journalist Cheng Lei formally arrested in China, says Foreign Minister Marise Payne

ABC  

Chinese authorities have formally arrested Australian journalist Cheng Lei on suspicion of "illegally supplying state secrets overseas" almost half a year after she was first detained. Cheng Lei's family speak out Photo shows Cheng Lei smiles in a photo from before her arrest The family of an Australian single mother detained in China on national security grounds has broken their …

Australian writer detained in China tells readers ‘pursue democracy, rule of law and freedom’
4 years ago

Australian writer detained in China tells readers ‘pursue democracy, rule of law and freedom’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Australian Yang Hengjun sends Christmas message to family from Chinese prison
4 years ago

Australian Yang Hengjun sends Christmas message to family from Chinese prison

ABC  

An Australian democracy advocate imprisoned in China for almost two years has delivered a heartfelt Christmas message to family and friends, insisting he still thinks he can receive a fair trial. Key points: Yang Hengjun, a 55-year-old Australian citizen, still has "some confidence in the court" He was accused of espionage by the Chinese Government Dr Yang has been detained …

Australian writer detained in Beijing told supporter he was a former Chinese spy
4 years, 2 months ago

Australian writer detained in Beijing told supporter he was a former Chinese spy

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. "Relevant Chinese authorities are handling the case in strict …

Australian Government says it has seen 'no evidence to support' espionage charge against writer Yang Hengjun in China
4 years, 2 months ago

Australian Government says it has seen 'no evidence to support' espionage charge against writer Yang Hengjun in China

ABC  

The Australian Government says it is "disappointed and deeply concerned" Chinese authorities have decided to prosecute Australian writer and democracy activist Yang Hengjun. Key points: Dr Yang Hengjun was arrested in January 2019 at Shanghai Airport He was charged with espionage on October 7 after two years in detention Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne says Australia will "always support" Dr …

Australian writer to face trial in China for espionage charges
4 years, 2 months ago

Australian writer to face trial in China for espionage charges

Deccan Chronicle  

Sydney: Detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun will face trial in Beijing on an espionage charge with a judge expected to be appointed in the next fortnight, friends said on Saturday. The Australian government said on Saturday it has been informed that “Chinese authorities have decided to prosecute Australian citizen Dr Yang Hengjun on charges yet to be announced”. Yang’s lawyers …

Detained Australian writer to face spy trial in China
4 years, 2 months ago

Detained Australian writer to face spy trial in China

Al Jazeera  

Yang Hengjun disappeared after arriving in Guangzhou in January 2019 and has not been allowed to see his family. Australian writer Yang Hengjun is to face trial in Beijing on an espionage charge, having been detained in China with no access to his family since January 2019, friends said on Saturday. Yang’s Beijing lawyers were notified on Wednesday that his …

No visits or phone calls for Australian blogger and former Chinese spy detained in China
4 years, 5 months ago

No visits or phone calls for Australian blogger and former Chinese spy detained in China

ABC  

A Sydney writer detained in China on an ill-defined espionage accusation has spent the past seven months in an information black hole, with Australian diplomats and his lawyer blocked from contacting him. Key points: Australian blogger Yang Hengjun has been held by Chinese authorities since January 2019 Australian diplomats have been denied access to him for seven months and his …

Australians at risk of arbitrary arrest in China, DFAT travel advice warns
4 years, 5 months ago

Australians at risk of arbitrary arrest in China, DFAT travel advice warns

ABC  

The Federal Government has issued new travel advice warning Australians they may face "arbitrary detention" if they go to mainland China. Key points: The Government says foreigners have been arrested in China for allegedly "endangering national security" Australians are already banned from going overseas because of the coronavirus pandemic The travel advice comes amid strained relations between China and Australia …

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