May 28, 2021
1 min read

China rejects calls for release of scholar held for alleged spying

Yuan Keqin, a former professor at the Hokkaido University of Education in Japan, was detained in May 2019, when he was in China for a temporary return home…reports Asian Lite News

China’s foreign ministry on Wednesday dismissed calls for the release of a Chinese scholar who is being held on suspicion of spying for Japan.

Yuan Keqin, a former professor at the Hokkaido University of Education in Japan, was detained in May 2019, when he was in China for a temporary return home, reported NHK World.

However, Yuan’s family and fellow researchers have claimed that he is innocent and called for his immediate release.

Reacting to this, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters on Wednesday that Yuan is a Chinese citizen but was long involved in spying at the request of Japan’s intelligence agency.

He also claimed Yuan has admitted to committing such a crime and there is hard evidence. Zho also informed that the imprisoned scholar has already been indicted and is currently on trial.

Yuan is one of the many academic detained recently by China under its anti-espionage law, reported NHK World.

The Chinese government initially stayed silent on Yuan’s whereabouts. But in late March, about 10 months after his disappearance, the authorities admitted officially that they had detained him.

China’s current anti-espionage law came into effect in 2014 as President Xi Jinping’s leadership began increasing censorship, which can amount to the death penalty if the law deems anyone harming national security.

A report on human rights issued by the US State Department in March claims that Chinese authorities have arbitrarily detained citizens and foreigners, citing national security, and argues that the scope of the law is broad and ambiguous.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government says 15 of its nationals have been detained in the past five years, reported NHK World. (ANI)]

ALSO READ: EU-India ties grow amid tensions with China

Previous Story

Myanmar students can stay in Japan even after visas expire

Next Story

Shopping tips for photoholics

Latest from China

Diplomatic Blow Drives Dar to Beijing

Ishaq Dar is visiting China from May 19 to 21 on the invitation of his counterpart Wang to hold talks on issues of interest…reports Asian Lite News Following its diplomatic isolation after

Swiss lawmakers urge China to release Panchen Lama

Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Tibet Bureau Geneva, Thinlay Chukki, welcomed the strongly worded statement issued by the Swiss Parliamentarians Swiss Parliamentarians from the Swiss Parliamentary Group for

36 Jets, 8 Ships: China Circles Taiwan Again

Rising tensions as Chinese forces increase activity around Taiwan….reports Asian Lite News Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported that, as of 6 a.m. Monday (local time), it had detected 36 Chinese military

Brazil’s Lula to visit China

Beijing is Brazil’s biggest trading partner. Its exports to China reached more than $94 billion last year, according to the United Nations Comtrade Database Brazil’s president will begin a five-day trip to

China, US hold ‘de-escalation’ trade talks

The US president praised the “very good” discussions and deemed them “a total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner” Donald Trump has hailed a “total reset” in US-China trade relations
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Curbs imposed in two Chinese cities amid Covid resurgence

The recent spike in coronavirus cases has led to allowing

Penpa Tsering: China’s internal security spending outweighs external

“Chinese government spend more money on internal security than external