Australia – The Age, January 23, 2025
Beijing prison officials slashed jailed Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun’s access to food and hygiene products late last year in a move that triggered official complaints from Australia’s top diplomat in China.
Yang was detained by Chinese authorities six years ago this week and was handed a suspended death sentence last February after being found guilty of mysterious espionage offences.
Yang’s supporters, who say he has been subjected to torture-like conditions since his arrest, are calling on the federal government to forcefully speak out about his treatment even if it offends the Chinese government.
Sources familiar with Yang’s prison conditions said his monthly spending allowance was cut from 200 Chinese yuan ($44) to 100 yuan ($22) in November for three months because eyesight problems meant he could not carry out his assigned chores.
Yang told Australia’s ambassador to China, Scott Dewar, during a monthly consular visit on November 15 that he was facing “hard and harsh” conditions in prison.
Describing his reduced spending allowance as “unbearable”, Yang said he had been forced to choose between buying food, hygiene products and clothes.
