Senator Pans Beijing’s Latest Attempt to Hold Freedom of Speech Hostage

Police stand guard as pro-China and anti-communist protesters line the streets at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco on Nov.15, 2023. JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images

Australia should remain unbowed amid ongoing threats from Beijing to cease discussion on human rights and democratic principles, says Liberal Party Senator Paul Scarr.

His comments come following the surprise decision by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to hand a “suspended death sentence” to Australian citizen, Yang Hengjun.

That decision by the CCP came following threats from Beijing’s top diplomat against the Australian government after it congratulated Taiwanese President-Elect William Lai on his victory at the January election.

“I considered the Australian government’s message to be entirely appropriate. It was a message of goodwill. I am sure it reflects the views of the Australian people,” Senator Scarr told The Epoch Times.

The Queensland senator said Australia should not back away from discussing human rights, saying it was a “moral obligation.”

“It is important that Australia keeps raising its human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities, including with respect to the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners,” the senator said, alluding to the spiritual practice that has been subjected to brutal persecution under the CCP.

“The findings of the United Nations Human Rights Office in relation to human rights violations committed against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region is also an issue concerning many Australians.”

On Feb. 5, Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed that detained Australian writer, Mr. Yang, had been handed a suspended death sentence by a court in China, which could be commuted to a life sentence after a two-year probation period.

The minister said she was “appalled” by his treatment and that her department would be “communicating our response in the strongest terms.”

“The Australian government has advocated for Dr. Yang with China at every opportunity, and at the highest levels. We have consistently called for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness, and humane treatment for Dr. Yang, in accordance with international norms and China’s legal obligations,” she said.

The opposition’s response was more direct.

“The anguish and anger that exists across Australia should be made clear and felt in Beijing, and the expectations of Australia that he ought to receive treatment that ultimately enables his release and return to Australia need to continue to be made clear,” said Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham, in an interview with ABC on Feb. 6.

Falun Dafa parade in Manhattan, New York City, on May 16, 2019. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

A Threat to Freedom of Thought

The treatment of Mr. Yang stands in stark contrast to that of Chinese-Australian reporter and news anchor, Cheng Lei, who was released late last year by Beijing. Australian Foreign Minister Wong said the release was achieved due to “persistence” and “consistent advocacy.”

At the time, there was also much discussion about the “thawing” of Australia-China ties amid the resuming of high-level diplomatic meetings, which had not occurred for years under the previous Coalition government. The previous government was the first in the world to call for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

However, the advent of the Taiwan election also spurred Beijing to issue a warning on recognising the democratic island as a separate entity from Beijing.

In an opinion piece published by The Australian newspaper, Beijing’s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian warned that if Australia was “tied to the chariot of Taiwan’s separatist forces” the people would be “pushed over the edge of an abyss.”

“Any move that violates the one-China principle will undoubtedly undermine China-Australia relations,” he wrote, claiming Taiwan was Beijing’s “internal affair.”

On Jan. 14, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade congratulated Mr. Lai on his victory and wrote on its website, “We also congratulate the people of Taiwan on the peaceful exercise of their democratic rights. The smooth conduct of the elections is a testament to the maturity and strength of Taiwan’s democracy.”

Just two weeks later, news of Mr. Yang’s situation emerged.

There had been observations that Beijing would actively try to shape how the world perceived and viewed Taiwan.

Professor Mark Harrison, of the University of Tasmania, said Australia—and other Western governments—could face pressure to understand Taiwan “the correct way” and that Beijing was likely becoming fearful of closer Australia-Taiwan ties.

“That’s an issue for us because our Taiwan policy has been very thin, and our policy systems are very risk-averse when it comes to Taiwan,” he revealed. “And that makes them vulnerable to that kind of discourse power.”