Key Points
- Yang Hengjun, a Chinese-Australian pro-democracy blogger, remains imprisoned in China.
- He was sentenced in February 2024 to a two-year suspended death sentence on espionage charges, which he denies.
- In a letter from prison, Yang expresses his gratitude for efforts from Australia to bring him home.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken of the "profound courage and resilience" contained in a letter sent to him by jailed Chinese-Australian pro-democracy blogger Yang Hengjun.
Yang remains imprisoned in China after he was .
The Australian writer was found guilty of espionage charges, which he has always denied, and has been detained since 2019.
Yang's supporters have expressed grave concern about the 60-year-old's jail conditions and ill health.
"[Yang] was a strong middle-aged man when he was detained back in 2019," Yang's friend, Sydney-based China academic Feng Chongyi, said earlier this year.
"But now he's a sick man in prison that has suffered from a heart condition, liver condition, especially his kidney condition, and other health condition as well."
LISTEN TO
Friends fear Chinese prison conditions confronting Australian Yang Hengjun
SBS News
06:35
Australia has long advocated for Yang, with a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong telling SBS News in a statement earlier this year that the Australian government "has made clear that we are appalled at Dr Yang's suspended death sentence".
In a written statement, the spokesperson said the government advocates for Yang "at every opportunity, at the highest levels, and we will continue to do so".
'Tears blur my vision'
In a handwritten letter sent to Albanese earlier this year from prison, Yang thanked him for his support.
"Dear Prime Minister Albanese, words are now failing me. Tears blur my vision. I can only use a silent voice to thank you and all the people who care for and love me," the letter, written in January, reads.
"I know you and the Australian government endeavour to do your utmost to bring me home for medical care and reunification with my family," Yang wrote.
"I have a dream.
"Let peace win, let humanity gain, let love prevail, let freedom ring."
Protester demonstrated in front of Parliament House in Canberra during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Australia in March. Credit: Sipa USA
"It has helped me to understand the value of words and deeds of a government of the people, by the people, for the people — to enable me to fully understand the true meaning of being an Australian citizen."
'We continue to advocate for Dr Yang's interests'
On Thursday, during a press conference in Indonesia, where Albanese is making a brief diplomatic visit, the prime minister confirmed Yang had written to him.
"It was a message of profound courage and resilience and hope despite his difficult circumstances," he told reporters in Jakarta.
"We continue to advocate for Dr Yang's interests and well-being at every opportunity, and I have certainly asked our ambassador to convey that very directly to Dr Yang."
LISTEN TO
Calls renewed for release of Dr Yang Hengjun from a Chinese prison
SBS News
07:53
The jailed Australian said a letter sent to him by Foreign Minister Penny Wong had helped him maintain strength and courage.
He also thanked Australian diplomats and embassy staff in China for their persistent support of him.
"All of this solicitude and solace has helped me to bear what has been untold and unbearable suffering," Yang wrote.
"I deeply love Australia. It is my beloved children's motherland.
"I cherish and defend its core values. This is something I've sought for in my life, it is bigger than my own life."
Yang still faces the prospect of life behind bars at the end of his sentence.
His family claims he has been subjected to hundreds of instances of torture.
"I have a dream," Yang wrote in the letter.
"That there is no war, no bullying, no incivility. People of different colours, cultures, and nationalities love each other like sisters and brothers.
"I faithfully hope the world's longest civilisations and youngest civilisations will one day sit together, to learn from each other’s good points — develop and progress together, setting an example of peaceful coexistence by seeking common ground and reserving differences. And that I should give something useful to that project."
