<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The federal government has praised the resilience of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national" rel="" target="_blank" title="Australian "><span>Australian</span></a><span> writer Yang Jun, who has been detained in China since 2019, on an alarming anniversary.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The pro-democracy activist has been in jail for seven years on espionage charges and today marks two years since he was </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/yang-jun-australian-writer-suspended-death-sentence-china/7ab2cb8b-304c-49f8-8a6f-7e05c82a10b4" rel="" target="" title="given a suspended death sentence by a court in Beijing"><span>given a suspended death sentence by a court in Beijing</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Foreign Minister Penny Wong offered her thoughts to him and his family.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/new-start-final-nuclear-treaty-between-russia-and-usa-set-to-expire-in-hours/ed68bb96-6f73-4588-91b3-12e884b13853" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Nuclear 'arms race' feared as final US-Russia treaty expires in hours</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>"</span></strong><span>Today marks two years since Australian citizen, Dr Yang Jun, received a suspended death sentence in Beijing," she said today.</span><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Dr Yang has demonstrated remarkable resilience and fortitude in the face of great challenges for the past seven years of his detention.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Today our thoughts are with Dr Yang and his loved ones. We want to see him reunited with his family."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/yang-jun-federal-government-praises-australian-writers-resilience-after-seven-years-detained-in-china/b3b985ba-2ede-4365-b159-d66ebf3e90ed" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Yang was detained in January 2019 on espionage charges after arriving in Guangzhou from New York.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He has maintained his innocence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was tried behind closed doors two years later, but a verdict was delayed until February 5, 2024, when he was given a suspended death sentence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The federal government understands the sentence could be dropped to life in jail following two years of good behaviour. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bunnings-wins-right-to-use-facial-recognition-technology-in-stores/60c8ba2c-865f-410d-922c-4714010c01e7" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Bunnings wins right to use facial recognition CCTV in stores</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There may also be an appeal process he is able to pursue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But Yang's family and supporters grew concerned when he revealed he is suffering from a large cyst on his kidney.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They fear he could die in prison without adequate medical care. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia's relationship with China has improved after the lifting of trade sanctions, diplomatic visits and the release of Australian journalist Cheng Lei from detention in 2023. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wong said the federal government was continuing to advocate for Yang at every occasion.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Australian government has made clear to China that we remain appalled by Dr Yang's suspended death sentence," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Dr Yang is entitled to basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment, in accordance with international norms and China's legal obligations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We advocate consistently for Dr Yang's welfare and conditions."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>