BCB in Brief: Australian writer Yang Hengjun’s suspended death sentence
What happened
Long-detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun has received a suspended death sentence, with the possibility of commutation to life imprisonment after two years.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said that the “Australian Government is appalled” by the sentencing and that they “will not relent in [their] advocacy.”
In addition to forceful public criticism, Canberra has reportedly conveyed strong private objections, with China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, being summoned for a reprimand from the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jan Adams.