Australian journalist Cheng Lei’s long-awaited return home on Wednesday marked the end of a harrowing chapter in her life. She had been detained by Chinese authorities for over three years on national security charges. Cheng Lei’s case is not an isolated incident, as China has a history of detaining foreign nationals under various circumstances, often causing international tensions. Let’s delve into some other high-profile cases of foreign nationals who have faced similar ordeals while in Chinese custody.
Yang Hengjun: Another Australian citizen, Yang Hengjun, has been held in China for more than three years. In 2021, he faced trial in Beijing on undisclosed national security charges, adding fuel to the fire of deteriorating relations between Australia and China. Yang, a writer born in China, strongly denies allegations of espionage for Australia or the United States. Friends of this pro-democracy blogger express growing concern for his deteriorating health during his extended detention.
Japanese Businessman: In March of an unspecified year, a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma Inc was detained in Beijing on suspicion of espionage. This incident sent shockwaves through the Japanese business community operating in China. The middle-aged man had dedicated over two decades of his life to working in China and held an executive position, according to Japanese media. Beijing was expected to make a decision regarding his formal arrest. The Chinese foreign ministry emphasized that foreign nationals in China must abide by the country’s laws or face prosecution. Japan’s government, in response, voiced strong demands for his release.
Robert Schellenberg: In 2014, Canadian citizen Robert Schellenberg found himself arrested in China on suspicion of drug smuggling. His conviction came in 2018, initially resulting in a 15-year prison sentence. However, the situation took a grim turn in January 2019 when a Chinese court sentenced him to death. This controversial decision coincided with the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on a United States warrant. Schellenberg’s death penalty was upheld by another Chinese court in 2021, drawing strong condemnation from Canada.
Mark Swidan: Hailing from Texas, businessman Mark Swidan faced drug-related charges in a Chinese court, leading to a death sentence with reprieve in 2019. A United Nations working group determined that he had been arbitrarily detained in violation of international law. Swidan’s mother, Katherine Swidan, sadly revealed that her son has endured over a decade of imprisonment.
Kai Li: Chinese-American Kai Li has been detained in China since 2016. A Chinese court handed down a 10-year jail sentence in 2018 on espionage charges that Li vehemently denies. His son, Harrison Li, shared his father’s side of the story, emphasizing his innocence in the face of these accusations.
These cases, including that of Cheng Lei, illustrate the complex web of international relations, human rights concerns, and legal challenges that can arise when foreign nationals find themselves detained in China. The ongoing struggle for their freedom and justice underscores the need for diplomacy and advocacy to ensure their rights are protected and their cases are resolved fairly.
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