Sons of Australian citizen imprisoned in China appeal for their father's freedom

The family of an Australian writer who has been imprisoned in China is urgently calling on their government to secure his release, expressing concerns about his deteriorating health. Yang Hengjun has been held on espionage charges for nearly five years, which he and the Australian government deny. In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Yang's sons have requested his intervention during his visit to Beijing this weekend. The family has decided to speak out following the recent release of Australian journalist Cheng Lei. The letter urges the Prime Minister to emphasize that a stable bilateral relationship cannot be achieved while an Australian citizen is being held in China. It also highlights the rapid decline of Yang's health in recent weeks. Prime Minister Albanese's visit to China is the first by an Australian leader since 2016, after a series of disputes strained relations between the countries. Yang, who used to work for China's Ministry of State Security and was a writer based in Australia, was arrested in 2019 at Guangzhou airport and accused of spying. His case has largely remained secret, with Australian officials expressing concerns but China warning against interference and emphasizing its "judicial sovereignty". Yang's family claims that he has been subjected to extensive interrogations and prolonged torture during his detention. They also stated that he recently discovered a large cyst on his kidney, which had not been disclosed to him by Chinese authorities. His health has deteriorated to the point where he struggles to walk even short distances. The family's letter concludes with quotes from Yang himself, where he pleads for his release, stating that he is sick, weak, and in fear for his life.