A Beijing court has sentenced former Guangming Daily journalist Dong Yuyu to seven years in prison on espionage charges, his family confirmed on Friday. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Veteran Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu faces espionage charges after a meeting with a Japanese diplomat in 2022. His trial awaited a verdict following a July 2023 closed hearing. Press freedom NGOs are calling for his release,

In response to an inquiry on reports that a Beijing court sentenced Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu on Friday to seven years in prison for espionage, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at Friday's press conference that China upholds the rule of law and Chinese judicial authorities handle cases in strict accordance with law.