Australian academic Yang Hengjun has received a suspended death sentence in China after five years of detention on espionage charges. The Australian government expressed deep concern, calling in the Chinese ambassador to object formally. The sentence allows for potential commutation to life imprisonment after two years. Yang's deteriorating health raises urgent calls for his return to Australia.
#Australia #China #YangHengjun #AustralianWriter #Beijing #ChinaAustralia #Anti-CCP #XiJinping #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
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#Australia #China #YangHengjun #AustralianWriter #Beijing #ChinaAustralia #Anti-CCP #XiJinping #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Australian academic Yang Hengjun has been handed over a suspended death sentence by
00:06 the Chinese court after enduring a five-year detention on charges of espionage.
00:11 Yang, a pro-democracy blogger and an Australian citizen born in China, was arrested in 2019
00:17 at the Guangzhou airport, accused of spying for an undisclosed foreign country.
00:23 The Chinese court's decision has escalated the tensions between China and Australia,
00:26 with the letter expressing deep concern and calling for the Chinese ambassador to lodge
00:31 a formal objection.
00:34 Penny Wong, Australia's foreign minister, has conveyed the government's dismay at the
00:38 verdict, stating that Monday they were "appalled" by the decision.
00:42 They emphasised that the Australian government has consistently advocated for Yang at the
00:46 highest level and will persist in their efforts.
00:49 Wong has assured that Australia will not relent in its advocacy for Yang's interests and
00:54 well-being. She affirmed that Australians desire to see Yang reunited with its country.
01:00 The court's sentence is formally described as a death sentence with two-year reprieve,
01:04 a relatively common practice in China. This provision allows death sentence to be potentially
01:09 commuted to 25 years or life imprisonment after two years of good behaviour.
01:15 And so, experts are still having hope that Yang's sentence will likely be converted to
01:20 a life in prison.
01:21 The close associates of Mr Fengjun have condemned the conviction as an outrageous political
01:26 prosecution, stating that Yang has not committed any espionage-related crime.
01:31 Reportedly, the Chinese government is punishing Yang for his criticism of human rights abuses
01:35 in China and his advocacy for universal values such as human rights, democracy and the rule
01:40 of law.
01:42 The admissions are urging Australia to press for Yang's immediate return, preferably on
01:46 medical parole, to enable him to access necessary medical treatment.
01:51 Yang's health has significantly deteriorated during his five years of arbitrary detention
01:55 and alleged torture.
01:58 Yang Hengjun's case has been a source of ongoing tensions between the Australian and
02:02 Chinese governments. The suspended death sentence has now intensified the diplomatic standoff
02:08 with Australia seeking to protect the right and well-being of its citizens and pushing
02:12 for a resolution that prioritises Yang's health and eventual return to his home country.
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02:23 (dramatic music)