China orders jailed journalist back to work after cancer surgery

Chinese authorities ordered journalist Dong Yuyu to resume prison labor weeks after cancer surgery, his family told CPJ. The press freedom group has called for his release on humanitarian grounds. Summary

NEW YORK — Chinese prison authorities ordered jailed journalist Dong Yuyu to resume labor weeks after surgery to remove a cancerous lung tumor, his family told the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Dong, 64, was ordered on October 12 to make clothes for 40 hours a week, according to the press freedom group. His family said his health has declined since he resumed work.

Surgery and prison transfer

The tumor was detected in May 2026 after Dong was hospitalized with heart palpitations and weight loss. He underwent surgery at a prison hospital in Beijing in August, CPJ reported on November 3.

In March, Dong was transferred from Beijing No. 2 Prison to Chaobai Prison in Tianjin, 168 kilometers from his family's Beijing , his family told CPJ. PEN International had called for his medical parole in May following his hospitalization.

Dong, an editor and columnist at the state-owned Guangming Daily, was arrested in 2022 while having lunch with a Japanese diplomat in Beijing. He was convicted of espionage in November 2024 and sentenced to seven years in prison. PEN International said the Beijing High Court rejected his appeal in November 2025.

CPJ Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi called the labor order inhumane and urged Chinese authorities to release Dong on humanitarian grounds. She also rejected the espionage charge as baseless. CPJ gave Dong an International Press Freedom Award in 2025.

ATTRIBUTION: Prepared by JournalismPakistan staff, based on the Committee to Protect Journalists report published November 3, 2026.

Dong Yuyu was ordered back to prison labor, his family told CPJ.

The journalist had surgery for a cancerous lung tumor in August 2026.

His family said the October 12 order involved making clothes.

Dong received a seven-year espionage sentence in November 2024.

CPJ urged Dong's release on humanitarian grounds on November 3.

Key Questions & Answers

What work was Dong Yuyu ordered to do?

His family told CPJ he was ordered to make clothes for 40 hours a week.

When did Dong have surgery?

He underwent surgery in August 2026 at a prison hospital in Beijing to remove a cancerous lung tumor.

Why is Dong Yuyu in prison?

He was convicted of espionage in November 2024 and sentenced to seven years; CPJ disputes the charge.

What has CPJ requested for Dong?

CPJ has urged Chinese authorities to release him on humanitarian grounds.

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