Australian writer receives suspended death sentence in China, announced by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. If he behaves well in prison for two years, his sentence will be commuted to life imprisonment.
Mr. Yang was a former Chinese diplomat who acquired Australian nationality after retiring and worked as a writer. There were concerns about Yang's health after a kidney problem was discovered last year, and the Australian government had called for his early release. Australian Foreign Minister Wong said he was disappointed in the Chinese legal system, but said, 'We are shocked by this outcome'