A well-known journalist in China, Dong Yuyu, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for espionage, as reported by his family. Dong was taken into custody in February 2022 when he was reportedly meeting with a Japanese diplomat at a restaurant.
During the trial, the court referred to the Japanese ambassador and a chief diplomat in Shanghai as members of a spy organization. Dong previously served as the deputy head of the editorial department at Guangming Daily, a state-run newspaper, and also contributed articles to the Chinese edition of the New York Times. His writings often expressed support for political reforms and constitutional democracy, which put him at odds with the Chinese Communist Party’s views.
Over his long career, Dong interacted with various foreign diplomats and journalists, including the Japanese ambassador, whom he considered a friend. His family has expressed concern over the implications of his conviction, warning that Chinese citizens may now fear that their interactions with foreign diplomats could be deemed suspicious by the government.
They stated, “Every sensible Chinese citizen should be appalled by this reasoning,” reflecting the anxiety many feel regarding government oversight and the implications for personal freedoms in China.
U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, has criticized Dong’s sentencing, calling it an unjust punishment for exercising his rights to free speech and press, which are guaranteed in China’s constitution. This case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding freedom of expression in China and the risks faced by individuals who engage with foreign entities.
