<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/21/student-allegedly-jailed-china-after-pro-democracy-protests-australia>
"The Australian government has been urged to take stronger action to protect
Chinese international students from political repression by authorities on
their return after a Chinese student was allegedly sentenced to six years’
imprisonment for joining pro-democracy protests in Australia.
The student, who the
Guardian has chosen not to name, lost contact with his
friends in Sydney after returning to China in December 2024.
He was known to have plans to stay in Australia after graduation. Two employers
also confirmed with
Guardian Australia that they have lost contact with the
student since January 2025.
A representative of the student’s family in Australia told the
Guardian that
the student was arrested and charged with secession for participating in
pro-democracy protests in Sydney, including two solidarity protests for China’s
ethnic minorities.
The family representative claimed the family was not offered a copy of the
judgment after the trial.
The student allegedly went on trial ahead of China’s introduction of the ethnic
unity law, which human rights advocates have argued worsens existing
restrictions on minority groups’ use of their languages.
A number of people who previously participated in rallies in Sydney critical of
the Chinese government said they knew the student through the events.
The University of Sydney, where he was enrolled, refused to comment, citing
privacy."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
