Health Crisis for Jailed Chinese Journalist Dong Yuyu Sparks Urgent Calls for Medical Release

May 06, 2026 – China –

Growing concern is mounting over the health of imprisoned Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu after medical examinations revealed a possible tumor in his lung, prompting renewed calls from press freedom organizations for his immediate release on medical grounds. Dong, a veteran journalist serving a seven-year sentence on espionage charges, was hospitalized on April 28, 2026, following a deterioration in his condition while in detention.

According to information shared by his family, a CT scan conducted at a prison-affiliated hospital in Tianjin identified a sizable mass in the lower part of his left lung, raising concerns that it may be malignant. Additional tests also detected cardiac irregularities, including arrhythmia, further complicating his condition and underscoring the urgency of medical intervention.

Relatives report that Dong has experienced significant weight loss and a visible decline in his overall health in recent months. They attribute his worsening condition to prolonged detention conditions, including limited access to adequate nutrition and medical care. Press freedom groups warn that continued imprisonment without proper treatment could pose a serious risk to his life.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Chinese authorities to grant Dong medical parole, emphasizing that he requires urgent diagnostic testing and specialized treatment that may not be available within the prison system. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has echoed these concerns, urging international pressure to ensure he receives appropriate care and is allowed to seek treatment outside detention if necessary.

Dong, 64, was detained in 2022 and later convicted in 2024 on espionage charges linked to his meetings with foreign diplomats, a case widely criticized by press freedom advocates as politically motivated. His appeal was rejected in 2025, leaving him to serve his full sentence despite ongoing international criticism.

A long-time editor and columnist at the state-run Guangming Daily, Dong is regarded as a rare independent voice within China’s tightly controlled media landscape. His detention has been cited by advocacy groups as part of a broader pattern in which national security laws are used to target journalists and restrict press freedom.

As concerns over his health intensify, advocacy organizations warn that Dong’s case highlights both the risks faced by detained journalists and the consequences of inadequate medical care in custody. Calls for his release continue to grow, with observers stressing that urgent action is needed to ensure his survival and uphold basic human rights standards.

Reference –

https://rsf.org/en/china-alarm-raised-over-detained-journalist-dong-yuyu-s-health-after-hospitalisation

https://www.journalismpakistan.com/cpj-urges-china-to-grant-parole-to-ill-journalist

Tumor found in jailed Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu’s lung after hospitalization