A Chinese court has upheld acclaimed journalist Dong Yuyu’s seven-year prison sentence on espionage charges, in a final ruling that drew widespread criticism from advocates of press freedom worldwide.
The Beijing High Court gave no reason for its decision on Thursday, Nov. 13. Although present in the courtroom, Dong’s family members were not allowed to speak with him.
A respected senior columnist and editor at the Guangming Daily newspaper and a 2007 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, Dong was detained on Feb. 21, 2022, while dining with a Japanese diplomat in a Beijing restaurant. He has been in custody since. Dong was officially charged with spying in March 2023 and sentenced to seven years in prison on Nov. 29, 2024.
His family released a statement describing the court’s decision as “a shameless act of persecution.” They added: “As a moderate, non-partisan, independent voice within the Chinese system, Yuyu has embodied the conscience of journalism and maintained a high standard of professionalism. His writings, public service-oriented and outspoken about even the most sensitive of political issues, have earned him admiration and recognition from colleagues both within China and abroad.”
Nieman Foundation Interim Curator Henry Chu called the ruling a new blow to free expression in one of the world’s most important countries. “Journalism is not a crime, and we join Dong’s family, friends, Nieman classmates, and journalists around the world in calling for his immediate release. We urge the Chinese government to respect freedom of the press, which is enshrined in China’s own constitution.”
The court ruling came one week before the Committee to Protect Journalists’ 35th annual International Press Freedom Awards ceremony in New York honoring Dong and other courageous journalists. CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi said: “This is an unconscionable decision. Today’s ruling shows China is determined to deny Dong Yuyu the justice he deserves,” She added: “Speaking with diplomats is routine work for journalists — not espionage. China must release Dong immediately, or it is sending a message to the world that its stated goal of open engagement is empty talk.”
In the course of his work, Dong regularly met with foreign diplomats, academics, and journalists and advocated for change in China in his writing. He contributed to various Chinese publications and wrote articles for The New York Times’ Chinese website. In addition to his Nieman Fellowship, he was a visiting scholar at two Japanese universities.
The National Press Club in Washington has advocated for Dong’s release and honored him with its 2025 President’s Award for his lifelong dedication to journalism and his courage, integrity, and service to the public’s right to know.
Mike Balsamo, president of the National Press Club, condemned the Beijing High Court’s ruling, saying: “By refusing to address the central issues raised on appeal, the court has ensured that Dong will remain behind bars for years to come — not for wrongdoing, but for the ordinary professional work that journalists around the world carry out every day.” He added: “When a journalist is imprisoned for engaging in normal professional exchanges, it signals a profound retreat from transparency and the rule of law.”
Learn more:
Dong Family Statement
Dong Yuyu Family Statement on Court Decision Upholding Harsh Sentence
An egregious decision by the Beijing High Court
Committee to Protect Journalists
China upholds harsh 7-year prison sentence for journalist Dong Yuyu on spy charges
The National Press Club
Press Club Statement on Chinese Court Denial of Appeal in Dong Yuyu Case
Hong Kong Free Press
China court rejects appeal by journalist jailed for espionage, family says
Beijing’s High Court on Thursday upheld Dong Yuyu’s sentence following his appeal, his family said in a statement posted on media platform Substack, calling it a “shameless act of persecution”.
The Guardian
Beijing court to rule in appeal of jailed Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu
Detention of Dong on espionage charges has been criticised by human rights and press freedom organisations
