BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaYang Hengjun: Australian writer given suspended death sentence in ChinaPublished9 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBy Tiffanie TurnbullBBC News, SydneyAustralian-Chinese writer Yang Hengjun has been given a suspended death sentence by a Chinese court, five years after he was arrested and accused of spying.The sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment after two years, according to Australian officials.Dr Yang – a scholar and novelist who blogged about Chinese affairs – denies the charges against him, which have not been made public.The Australian government, which has long petitioned for his release, is “appalled” by the decision, said Foreign Minister Penny Wong.Dr Yang, who previously worked for China’s Ministry of State Security, was a scholar and novelist in Australia who blogged about Chinese affairs. He was nicknamed the “democracy peddler”, but his writings often avoided direct criticisms of the government.The 57-year-old was intercepted at Guangzhou airport in January 2019 and accused of spying. His case has mostly unfolded behind closed doors since then, including a secret trial in 2021.Australian officials have previously raised concerns, but China’s foreign ministry has warned them not to interfere in the case, and to respect the nation’s “judicial sovereignty”.Dr Yang has been subjected to “more than 300 interrogations” and “six months of intense torture” while in detention, his family says.This is a breaking news story – more to follow.Related TopicsChinaCapital punishmentAustraliaTop StoriesUS launches more strikes against Houthis in YemenPublished37 minutes agoWoman killed by dogs while visiting grandsonPublished9 hours ago’I thought Clapham attack girl was going to die in my arms’Published5 hours agoFeaturesGrammy Awards red carpet and ceremony in picturesThe Papers: ‘Horrifying’ dog attack and ‘bonkers’ week of weatherMum-of-five embraces mayhem above Insta perfectionOrlando, Beijing and… the village of Stewartby?Scottish prisons are full, ‘we can’t take any more’Chinese ship’s port call flares India tensionNew video shows Clapham attack suspect in Tesco. VideoNew video shows Clapham attack suspect in TescoAll you need to know about Monday’s train strikesCan Musk’s Neuralink brain chip really change the world?Elsewhere on the BBCA Scottish wild swimming road-trip!Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill take the plunge at Scotland’s breathtaking wild swimming spotsAttributioniPlayer’I never tried to be famous…it was accidental’Michael Parkinson with guests Ricky Gervais, Michael Palin and Kate AdieAttributioniPlayer’I smashed all my trophies’Bradley Wiggins opens up about his mental health and imposter syndromeAttributioniPlayerBritish television’s greatest double actEric and Ernie share their remarkable journey through TV appearances, rare radio material and BBC archivesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1’Horrifying’ dog attack and ‘bonkers’ week of weather2US launches more strikes against Houthis in Yemen3New atom-smasher could spark physics revolution4Jockey, 25, dies after fall at horse race in Kent5Woman killed by dogs while visiting grandson6Dua Lipa opens show and SZA sizzles at Grammys7’I thought Clapham attack girl was going to die in my arms’8Russian oil getting into UK via refinery loophole9Former Scottish Labour leader admits voting SNP10Grammy Awards red carpet and ceremony in pictures