The son of a Chinese journalist, who was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of espionage, has made a heartfelt appeal for his father’s release. This plea highlights growing concerns surrounding Beijing’s stringent measures against press freedom.
Dong Yuyu, a former senior editor at the Communist Party-affiliated Guangming Daily, was arrested in February 2022 during a lunch meeting with a Japanese diplomat in Beijing. His conviction, which occurred in November 2023, was based on allegations involving eight meetings with Japanese diplomats that prosecutors presented as evidence of espionage.
Son’s call for support
During a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, Dong Yufu urged Japanese authorities to assist in his father’s appeal, asserting that these diplomatic interactions had no ties to espionage. He emphasized,
“It is a press freedom issue. It is a human rights issue. It has very little to do with national security or espionage.”
The arrest of Dong Yuyu, occurring just two months before his anticipated retirement, sent shockwaves through the journalism community and among diplomats in China. It is not uncommon for journalists to engage with foreign officials as part of their professional duties, making the circumstances of his detention particularly alarming.
Human rights and health concerns
Despite the harsh conditions of his imprisonment, Dong Yufu reported that his father remains in good health, managing to maintain his fitness through daily exercises. However, he is afforded only a few hours of sunlight each year and has been denied the opportunity to see his wife.
Dong Yuyu’s legal representation visits him monthly, delivering handwritten letters from his wife. In addition, he has prepared an extensive 45-page document contesting his conviction. The case has garnered significant attention from advocates for press freedom, with organizations like Reporters Without Borders declaring China as “the world’s largest prison for journalists,” noting that over 100 journalists are currently detained.
In a recent statement, the US State Department called for Dong’s immediate and unconditional release. Former US Ambassador Nicholas Burns also criticized the ruling as unjust on social media platform X. As of now, China’s Foreign Ministry has yet to provide a public response to the prevalent calls for justice in this case.