CPJ urges China to grant parole to ill journalist
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 5 May 2026 | JP Asia Desk
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CPJ has urged Chinese authorities to grant medical parole to jailed journalist Dong Yuyu after examinations showed a 3.3×2.2 cm lung mass that may be malignant and arrhythmia; his family reports weight loss and declining health since his 2022 detention.Summary
NEW YORK—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Chinese authorities to grant medical parole to jailed journalist Dong Yuyu, warning that he requires urgent treatment for a potentially dangerous lung tumor.
The appeal follows new medical findings indicating that Dong, 64, may be suffering from a fast-growing mass in his left lung, alongside other serious health complications. CPJ said the journalist’s age and prison conditions make immediate medical intervention critical.
Health concerns escalate in detention
Dong was admitted on April 28 to a prison-affiliated hospital in Tianjin after experiencing heart palpitations and physical discomfort, according to information shared with CPJ by his son. A CT scan revealed a tumor measuring 3.3 by 2.2 centimeters in the lower part of his left lung, which may be malignant and requires further testing.
Additional examinations also detected arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat, prompting doctors to place him on a Holter monitor to track cardiac activity. His family has reported significant weight loss and a noticeable decline in his overall health in recent weeks.
Imprisonment and legal background
Dong, a former editor and columnist at the state-run Guangming Daily, has been detained since February 2022. He was arrested in Beijing while meeting a Japanese diplomat and was later charged with espionage.
In November 2024, a Chinese court sentenced him to seven years in prison. His appeal was delayed before being rejected by the Beijing High Court in November 2025, upholding the original sentence.
Conditions and access concerns
In March 2026, Dong was transferred from a prison in Beijing to a facility in Tianjin, significantly increasing travel time for family visits. According to his son, he is required to perform manual labor for extended hours under limited dietary conditions, raising further concerns about his deteriorating health.
CPJ has highlighted that China remains the world’s leading jailer of journalists, with at least 51 currently imprisoned based on its latest data. The organization has repeatedly called for Dong’s release and recognized him with its International Press Freedom Award in 2025.
Chinese authorities have not publicly responded to CPJ’s latest request for comment regarding Dong’s condition or the possibility of medical parole.
ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available statements from the Committee to Protect Journalists (May 5, 2026) and family disclosures reported by CPJ.
PHOTO: Provided by the Dong family and circulated by CPJ.
Key Points
- CPJ has called for medical parole for jailed journalist Dong Yuyu over urgent health concerns.
- A CT scan showed a 3.3×2.2 cm mass in his left lung that may be malignant and requires further testing.
- Doctors also detected arrhythmia and placed him on a Holter monitor to track cardiac activity.
- Dong has been detained since February 2022, later sentenced to seven years on espionage charges.
- Family reports significant weight loss and overall health decline while in detention.
Key Questions & Answers
Who is Dong Yuyu?
Dong Yuyu is a former editor and columnist at Guangming Daily who was detained in February 2022 and later sentenced to seven years on espionage charges.
What is CPJ asking Chinese authorities to do?
CPJ is urging Chinese authorities to grant medical parole so Dong can receive urgent testing and treatment for a possible malignant lung mass and cardiac issues.
What medical findings have been reported?
A CT scan revealed a 3.3 by 2.2 cm mass in his left lung that may be malignant; doctors also found arrhythmia and have used a Holter monitor to track his heart.
How has his family described his condition?
His family reports significant weight loss and a noticeable deterioration in his overall health in recent weeks while he remains in detention.
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