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May 09, 2026 – China –
The family of imprisoned Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu is calling for his release on urgent medical grounds, warning that his health has significantly deteriorated in custody and that continued imprisonment may pose life-threatening risks.
According to reports from multiple outlets, including The Associated Press, The Independent, and Canadian Press, Dong was hospitalized in late April 2026 at a prison-affiliated medical facility in Tianjin after being diagnosed with serious health conditions. Doctors reportedly identified a heart arrhythmia and a lung tumour suspected to be malignant, prompting alarm from his family and supporters.
Dong, a veteran journalist and former editor at the state-owned Guangming Daily, was detained in 2022 while meeting a Japanese diplomat in Beijing. He was later convicted of espionage and sentenced to seven years in prison in 2024, a ruling that was upheld on appeal in 2025.
His family says his health has worsened due to harsh prison conditions, including long hours of forced labour and insufficient rest. They argue that his medical situation now requires immediate intervention, including the possibility of medical parole and treatment outside China.
In statements cited by news reports, the family described his condition as extremely serious and warned that delays in treatment could have irreversible consequences. They have appealed to international actors and foreign governments to raise the case with Chinese authorities and push for his release on humanitarian grounds.
Dong’s son, who has been publicly advocating for his father from abroad, also joined calls for urgent action, urging increased diplomatic pressure to secure access to proper medical care. Advocacy groups, including press freedom organizations, have echoed these concerns, highlighting broader issues around the treatment of imprisoned journalists in China.
Dong’s imprisonment has already drawn international criticism from rights groups and media organizations, which argue that his conviction reflects a wider crackdown on independent journalism and political expression. His writings, often focused on political reform and transparency, had made him one of the more prominent liberal voices within China’s state media system before his arrest.
The renewed concerns over his health have intensified scrutiny of his case, with supporters warning that his condition represents a humanitarian emergency requiring immediate attention from authorities.
Reference –
https://apnews.com/article/china-journalist-dong-yuyu-health-ff3e9ec7a6d47777ebac34545730399a
https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/china-journalist-dong-yuyu-health-e98768
