Such a severe punishment against a foreign citizen is relatively rare in China. There is a risk of further deterioration in Sino-US relations, which are already at rock bottom.
By Le Figaro with AFP
Published 05/15/2023 at 06:31, updated 05/15/2023 at 06:32
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The press release does not mention the exact nature of the charges against John Shing-wan Leung (pictured). Aquatarcus / stock.adobe.com
A 78-year-old American permanent resident of Hong Kong has been sentenced to life imprisonment in China for “espionage,” a local court said Monday, May 15. Such a severe punishment against a foreign citizen on this ground is relatively rare in the Asian country. There is a risk of further deterioration in Sino-US relations, which are already at rock bottom.
John Shing-wan Leung, also known as Liang Chengyun, “found guilty of espionage and was sentenced to life imprisonment and life deprivation of his political rights,” according to a statement by the Intermediate People’s Court of Suzhou (eastern China). His personal property valued at 500,000 yuan was also confiscated in the first-instance trial, which took place on Monday, apparently behind closed doors, as is usual in such cases.
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Cooling of Sino-US relations
The press release does not mention the exact nature of the facts alleged against John Shing-wan Leung. The profession and activities of this American citizen in China were also not immediately clear. This condemnation comes amid US President Joe Biden’s trip to Japan this week to attend the G7 summit taking place in Hiroshima on May 19-21.
Sino-US relations have cooled in recent years due to disagreements on many issues: the trade imbalance, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing’s treatment of the Uyghur minority, or even high-tech rivalries.