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

Hopes of freedom hang in the balance

Latest from China

Beijing: Our River, Our Sovereignty!

China defends its Yarlung Zangbo dam amid Indian and Bangladeshi concerns, but geography and hydrology experts say India retains the upper hand in river control and flow….reports Asian Lite News China has

China Cheers Visa Revival

India resumes tourist visas for Chinese nationals as both countries signal warming ties, with renewed dialogue, border stability, and people-to-people exchanges driving cautious diplomatic normalisation….reports Asian Lite News In a significant step

China Collision Delays US Sub

The submarine officially entered the repair phase, known as Extended Docking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA), in February 2023…reports Asian Lite News Nearly five years after a high-profile collision in the South China

U.S. plugs leak in AI chip pipeline to Beijing

The legislation was crafted following revelations from the SCCCP’s DeepSeek report, which detailed how U.S. semiconductor chips are being smuggled into China through intermediary shell companies….reports Asian Lite News In a rare

Wang’s five-point SCO roadmap

Wang Yi outlines five-point roadmap as foreign ministers prepare for key Tianjin summit; Jaishankar calls for stronger regional cooperation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi laid out a comprehensive five-point vision for the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US, China lock horns over capturing semiconductor chip market

Against this, the US in October last year declared rules

Ex-CIA officer pleads guilty to providing key info to China

The former CIA officer worked with an unnamed co-conspirator in