News about Yang Hengjun

Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer, has been given a suspended death sentence in China, almost five years since being first detained.

Last week, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced that China had donated equipment and trained a small contingent of the police liaison team to help run the games. It's unclear how many additional personnel China has sent to the area, and the reason for the two countries' increased cooperation is uncertain. Since 2008, Australia has long been interested in the Solomon Islands and has worked closely with the government to assist and expand the region's capacity, contributing more than $2.5 billion in development aid since 2008.

During a three-day official visit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that he would press the Chinese government to investigate the detention of Australian writer Yang Hengjun. Mr Albanese, who will leave Darwin on Saturday afternoon for Shanghai before heading to Beijing on Sunday, is the first Australian chief to visit China in seven years. On Monday, Mr Albanese will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where he'll press for the press the case for Dr. Yang's release, who was detained by Chinese authorities in 2019.

After a 10 cent cyst was discovered on his kidney, an Australian writer who has been imprisoned by the Chinese Government has raised concerns that he will die in jail. Yang Hengjun, a pro-democracy blogger, has been detained on espionage charges since arriving at Guangzhou Airport while visiting his sick brother.

China is expected to remove all trade restrictions against Australia introduced during the Covid pandemic by the end of the year, according to Trade Minister Don Farrell, who is heading to Beijing for a two-day trip this week. When Mr Farrell (left) arrives in Beijing on Thursday, he is supposed to hold talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao and other top officials. After Beijing imposed sanctions on $20 billion worth of Australian exports, including barley (right), wine, beef, and lobster, he will advocate for a solution to the trade dispute between the two countries.