In Washington, the son of a Chinese journalist who recently received a seven-year prison sentence on espionage charges is advocating for his father’s release. This case has highlighted China’s increasing clampdown on journalism. Dong Yuyu, a former senior editor at a state-run newspaper, was detained in February 2022 after meeting for lunch with a Japanese diplomat in Beijing.
On Monday at the National Press Club, Dong Yifu, the journalist’s son, announced that his father intends to appeal the conviction. He called upon the Japanese government to help clarify that Dong Yuyu’s interactions with Japanese diplomats were unrelated to espionage activities. “This is about press freedom and human rights, not national security or espionage,” stated Dong Yifu.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on the situation. Prior to his arrest, Dong Yuyu held the position of deputy head of the commentary department at Guangming Daily, a newspaper historically viewed as more open-minded compared to other state media. He has authored pieces advocating constitutional democracy, political reform, and increased governmental accountability, perspectives now stifled by the party.
Dong Yuyu was recognized as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University from 2006 to 2007 and later pursued fellowships in Japan. His arrest in early 2022, close to his planned retirement, has shocked the journalistic and diplomatic communities in China, as maintaining diplomatic contacts is standard for journalists.
During subsequent court proceedings, Dong Yufu’s mother learned that meetings with eight Japanese diplomats were cited as evidence in his father’s case. Last November, Dong was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court. At the time, then-U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns publicly condemned the ruling as unfair.
Japan’s Assistant Foreign Secretary Masashi Mizobuchi remarked that the diplomatic actions by officials in China were entirely within their official duties. In December, the Japanese Foreign Ministry lodged a protest regarding the negative ramifications the ruling poses for Chinese individuals interacting with Japanese diplomats, worrying over its impact on bilateral exchanges.
In prison, Dong Yuyu is maintaining his health through vigorous exercises, including 200 pushups and 200 leg raises daily. However, his son reports that his father is limited to only a few hours of sunlight annually and has not been able to see his wife. Nevertheless, Dong can meet his lawyer monthly and receive letters from his spouse.
In preparation for his appeal, Dong Yuyu has composed a 45-page handwritten document. Last week, the U.S. State Department advocated for his swift, unconditional release. Furthermore, the organization Reporters Without Borders in Paris has voiced concerns over press freedom in China, dubbing it the “world’s largest prison for journalists,” with over 100 currently detained. They assert that charges of espionage are commonly used by Beijing to stifle journalistic voices, alongside extensive charges like subversion.
