Beijing: China has recently handed down a life sentence to a 78-year-old US citizen on charges of espionage, according to a statement from the Intermediate People's Court in Suzhou. The case had remained undisclosed until now, with limited details provided. It is relatively uncommon for foreign nationals to receive such severe sentences in China, and this development is expected to further strain the already damaged relations between Beijing and Washington.

The convicted individual, identified as John Shing-wan Leung, is a permanent resident of Hong Kong. The court statement revealed that Leung was found guilty of espionage and has been sentenced to life imprisonment, along with a lifetime deprivation of political rights. However, the statement did not disclose when Leung was taken into custody, nor did it provide specific information about the charges he faced.

The US embassy in Beijing acknowledged reports of a US citizen's recent conviction and sentencing in Suzhou but refrained from providing further comment due to privacy considerations. Closed-door trials for sensitive cases are customary in China, and the court statement did not shed light on the specifics of the charges.

This sentencing is anticipated to have a further negative impact on US-China relations, which are already strained due to various issues, including trade disputes, human rights concerns, and tensions surrounding Taiwan. The United States recently condemned the reported sentencing of a human rights activist, Guo Feixiong, for "inciting subversion of state power." The US State Department expressed disappointment at being barred from attending Guo's trial in southern China.

As President Joe Biden prepares to attend the G7 summit, where China's relationship with the group is expected to be a significant topic of discussion, this development adds another layer of complexity to the already complex dynamics between the two nations. Other high-profile cases involving espionage include the arrest of Chinese-born Australian writer Yang Jun in 2019.

In April, China approved an amendment to its anti-espionage law, broadening its scope and tightening regulations regarding national security. These changes, set to take effect on July 1, include a broader definition of spying and a ban on the transfer of any data deemed related to national security. The impact of these expanded definitions remains uncertain, with concerns raised about potential arbitrary enforcement and the infringement on individual freedoms.