• Date:
  • Category: News

According to media reports, Yuan Keqin, a Chinese professor in Japan who was detained on suspicion of espionage after temporarily returning to China to attend the funeral of a relative five years ago, has been sentenced to six years in prison.

According to Japan's Kyodo News Agency on Wednesday (May 15, 2024), Yuan Keqin, a former professor at Hokkaido University of Education, was convicted of violating the "Counterespionage Law."

Sources said the Intermediate People's Court in Changchun City, Jilin Province, issued the verdict at the end of January this year. Yuan Keqin may appeal against the verdict.

In response to questions about Yuan Keqin's current situation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin responded at a regular press conference on May 14: "China is a country governed by the rule of law and handles relevant cases in accordance with the law."

Yuan Keqin disappeared after traveling to China to attend the funeral of relatives in 2019. China's Foreign Ministry later said he had admitted espionage and was detained.

According to reports, as the Chinese government strengthens its crackdown on espionage activities by amending the Counterespionage Law, Japanese nationals in China and Chinese nationals engaged in research at Japanese educational institutions have been arrested.

Kobe Gakuin University in Japan revealed in March this year that Chinese professor Hu Shiyun disappeared after returning to China last summer. Kyodo News reported in April this year that Fan Yuntao, a professor at Asia University, disappeared after temporarily returning to China in February last year.