The sentencing of a former Chinese state media journalist, Dong Yuyu, to seven years in prison for espionage has sparked global criticism and raised concerns over press freedoms and diplomatic relations.
The 62-year-old, former senior editor at Guangming Daily, was detained in February 2022 after being arrested while having lunch with a Japanese diplomat in Beijing.
Dong, known for his reformist stance and extensive interactions with foreign diplomats and academics, was accused of espionage.
His family revealed that the court cited his meetings with two Japanese diplomats, who were labeled as members of an “espionage organization” linked to Japan’s embassy, as part of the evidence against him.
In their statement, his family expressed shock at the charges, stating, “We are shocked that the Chinese authorities would blatantly deem a foreign embassy an ‘espionage organization.
Today’s verdict is a grave injustice not only to Yuyu and his family but also to every freethinking Chinese journalist and every ordinary Chinese committed to friendly engagement with the world.”
Dong was detained alongside the Japanese diplomat, who was later released following protests from Japan’s government.
Although his trial was concluded in July 2023, the Beijing court withheld the verdict until now, barring him from family visits throughout the process.
The court’s proceedings, held under heavy security, excluded journalists and diplomats, prompting further criticism.
The US National Press Club condemned the timing of the verdict, which was announced during the US Thanksgiving holiday, suggesting it was intended to minimize international attention.
Rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, also criticized the conviction, with Asia Programme Manager Beh Lih Yi calling for Dong’s immediate release.
“Chinese authorities must reverse this unjust verdict and protect the right of journalists to work freely and safely in China,” she said.
Dong Yuyu joined Guangming Daily in 1987 after graduating from Peking University’s law school.
He was among the students who participated in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, which led to his sentencing to hard labor.
Despite this, he retained his position at the newspaper and rose to become deputy head of its editorial department.
Known for his pro-reform writings, Dong was a Nieman fellow at Harvard University in 2007 and contributed to international publications like The New York Times.
He also held visiting professor roles at several Japanese universities.
Dong’s arrest and sentencing underscore the increasingly fraught environment for journalists and foreign diplomats in China.
Critics argue that such actions are part of President Xi Jinping’s administration’s broader clampdown on dissent and free expression.
The case has also heightened tensions between China and Japan, as labeling Japanese diplomats as spies risks further straining bilateral relations.
