Australia – 9 News, Feb. 05, 2026

The federal government has praised the resilience of Australian writer Yang Jun, who has been detained in China since 2019, on an alarming anniversary.

The pro-democracy activist has been in jail for seven years on espionage charges and today marks two years since he was given a suspended death sentence by a court in Beijing.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong offered her thoughts to him and his family.

“Today marks two years since Australian citizen, Dr Yang Jun, received a suspended death sentence in Beijing,” she said today.

“Dr Yang has demonstrated remarkable resilience and fortitude in the face of great challenges for the past seven years of his detention.

“Today our thoughts are with Dr Yang and his loved ones. We want to see him reunited with his family.”

Yang was detained in January 2019 on espionage charges after arriving in Guangzhou from New York.

He has maintained his innocence.

He was tried behind closed doors two years later, but a verdict was delayed until February 5, 2024, when he was given a suspended death sentence.