Renewed calls for China to free Australian writer Yang five years on

Beijing envoy says case differs from that of released Australian journalist Cheng

Australian writer Yang Hengjun was tried on espionage charges at the No. 2 Intermediate People's Court in Beijing. © AP

SHAUN TURTON, Nikkei Staff Writer

January 19, 2024 13:59 JST

SYDNEY -- Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the government remains "deeply troubled" by the indefinite detention of writer Yang Hengjun, five years after his arrest in China.

Wong released a statement on Friday to mark the anniversary of the activist's detention at Guangzhou airport in 2019 during a period of strained relations between Canberra and Beijing. Accused of espionage, Yang faced a closed-door trial in May 2021, but no verdict has been handed down.