Australia – The Age, May 15, 2025
Jailed Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun has expressed his hopes of being free to swap stories, tears and laughter with his readers as he endures “the hardest and darkest chapter of my life” in a letter penned from inside a Beijing prison.
Addressed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it is the first letter that Yang has written for public release since his detention in China more than six years ago.
Written from inside Beijing No. 2 Prison, where he is serving a suspended death sentence for murky espionage offences, Yang describes his heartfelt love for both Australia and China, and his gratitude for his supporters and the efforts by the Australian government “to bring me home for medical care and reunification with my family”.
The letter was released through an authorised process involving Australian officials, in what his supporters are holding on to as a glimmer of hope that the ongoing thaw in the bilateral relationship may herald more positive outcomes for Yang’s plight.
Yang thanked Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and consular officials for their support, and was upbeat about the prospect that he might one day be freed.
“I genuinely expect to sit side by side with my readers one day, sharing ‘democracy-peddler ’-style stories; sharing laughter, tears and dreams,” Yang, 60, wrote in the letter, dated January 10, but released by his supporters on Wednesday.
“I feel all of your support beside me as I stagger through the hardest and darkest chapter of my life, allowing me to immerse in the warmth of humanity.”
“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.
