Q：According to reports, the Chinese judicial authorities have announced the sentencing for the first instance of the case of Australian defendant Yang Jun who was accused of espionage.The Australian Embassy in China sat in on the sentencing. What is your comment?

A：On February 5, 2024, the Beijing No.2 Intermediate People’s Court announced the sentencing for the first instance of the case of Australian defendant Yang Jun who was accused of espionage. The Court ruled that Yang Jun was guilty of espionage and sentenced him to death with a two-year reprieve and ordered that all his personal property be confiscated. The people’s court heard the trial in strict accordance with the law and ensured that Yang Jun fully exercised his procedural rights. The court also respected and ensured the Australian side’s consular rights, including the right to consular visits and notifications, and arranged for the Australian side to sit in on the sentencing.