‘Darkest Chapter of My Life’: Australian Blogger’s Plea for Help from Beijing Prison

Yang Hengjun said the Australian government support in the past six years helped him endure unbearable suffering in CCP prison.

Protesters hold placards demanding the release of Australian writer Yang Hengjun in Canberra, Australia, on March 20, 2024. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

Jailed Chinese Australian blogger Yang Hengjun has penned a heartfelt letter to Australian leaders pleading for help to end his six years of imprisonment at the hands of Beijing.

The academic and pro-democracy writer, who immigrated to Australia in 1999, was arrested by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities in 2019 when he returned to China to renew visas for his family.

The CCP later indicted him on espionage charges, which he has strongly denied. Yang has been detained in Beijing No. 2 Prison.

In February 2024, the Australian government revealed that Yang was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve—the sentence could be reduced to life imprisonment if Yang is deemed not to have committed any “serious crimes” during the period.

Meanwhile, there have been growing concerns from family and friends that Yang’s health has significantly deteriorated to the point where he is bed ridden.

The Australian government has been lobbying for Yang with Foreign Minister Penny Wong saying the there were serious concerns about his condition.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks at an election night event in Sydney, Australia, on May 3, 2025. Izhar Khan/Getty Images

Yang’s Handwritten Letter to Prime Minister

In a letter dated Jan 10, 2025, Yang expressed his gratitude to Australian leaders and diplomats, international organisations, and others who have supported him over the past six years.

“Dear Prime Minister Albanese, words are now failing me. Tears blur my vision. I can only use a silent voice to thank you and all the people who care for and love me,” the letter read.

“I have written millions of words over my career but I can’t find the words to properly express my heartfelt gratitude and feeling.

“I know you and the Australian government endeavour to do your utmost to bring me home for medical care and reunification with my family.”

The blogger also stated that visits from Australian embassy officials over the past six years, marked by solicitude and support, have helped him endure the “untold and unbearable suffering” in the CCP prison.

“I feel all of your support beside me as I stagger through the hardest and darkest chapter of my life, allowing me to immerse in the warmth of humanity,” he wrote.

“It has helped me to understand the value of words and deeds of a government of the people, by the people, for the people—to enable me to fully understand the true meaning of being an Australian citizen.”

A guard looks through the window of a hallway inside a detention center in Beijing, China, on Oct. 25, 2012. Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

Yang noted that Australia was defined not only by its blue sky, beautiful beaches, vast lands and boundless oceans, but also by a strong faith, common values, and a far-reaching vision based on facts and virtue.

“We uphold and safeguard individual freedoms of thought and speech while sticking to the common sense of mankind, and the shared core values of liberty, equality, democracy, and the rule of law,” he wrote.

No Regret

While expressing his deep love for Australia–his children’s motherland–and China, where he grew up, Yang said he did not regret what he did in the past, including his time as a Chinese official and later as a pro-democracy advocate.

“I have never regretted dedicating 20 years of my later life to writing 20 million words for my Chinese readers all around the world,” he wrote.

“I shall never give up contributing my humble part to serving the development of China and the benefit of the Chinese people.”

Yang also talked about his dream of a world where there is “no war, no bullying, no incivility” and where countries can coexist peacefully and help each other develop.

“I have a dream that one day the spirit of law and the sunshine of judicial justice penetrate every corner of every country,” he said.

“People should be free from fear, persecution and poverty.”

In this 2017 photo provided by his family, Yang Hengjun, left, poses with his family member in Beijing. Yang Family Photo via AP

Government’s Response

Wong said both the prime minister and she was deeply moved by Yang’s letter, which conveyed a message of “profound courage, resilience, and hope” in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

“Dr. Yang writes of his great love for his country—and we want to see him home in Australia, reunited with his family,” she told The Epoch Times.

“We continue to advocate for Dr. Yang’s interests and wellbeing at every opportunity and at the highest levels, including access to appropriate medical care.

“Our thoughts remain with Dr. Yang and his loved ones.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed her comments while on a state visit to Indonesia.

“It was a message of profound courage and resilience and hope despite his difficult circumstances, and we continue to advocate for Dr Yang’s interests and wellbeing at every opportunity,” he told reporters in Jakarta on May 15.

“I have certainly asked our ambassador to convey that very directly to Dr Yang.”