Australian writer Yang Hengjun given suspended death sentence in China

Australia's government said Monday writer Yang Hengjun has been given a suspended death sentence in China, describing it as "harrowing news", Report informs via France 24.

The Chinese-born Australian citizen has been in jail in China since 2019 on spying accusations and is said to be in ill health.

"The Australian government is appalled at this outcome," Foreign Minister Penny Wong told a news conference.

Canberra understood that the death sentence could be commuted to life in jail after a period of two years, Wong said.

"We will be communicating our response in the strongest terms," the Australian minister said.

The sentence was "the most harrowing news", she told reporters.

Wong said the Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, would be summoned to hear the government's objection.