Paris, May 5: A prominent international press freedom organization has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health of Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu. His family reported that he was hospitalized, revealing the presence of a tumor.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has appealed to the international community to pressure Beijing to secure his release on medical parole, allowing him to receive treatment abroad and reunite with his family.
According to the organization, Dong Yuyu was admitted to a hospital linked to a prison in Tianjin, China, on April 28. A computed tomography scan reportedly showed “a large tumor in the lower part of his left lung,” necessitating further contrast-enhanced imaging to determine its nature.
RSF reported that medical examinations also revealed arrhythmia, which includes premature atrial contractions and premature ventricular contractions—irregular heartbeats that disrupt normal rhythm. He has been placed on a 24-hour Holter monitor for further testing, but results have yet to be disclosed to his family.
The organization quoted Dong Yuyu’s family, stating, “The harsh conditions of wrongful detention over the past four years have severely impacted Yuyu’s health. We hope he will be released immediately on medical grounds so he can receive the necessary treatment.”
Highlighting the deteriorating conditions in Chinese prisons, RSF’s Asia-Pacific Advocacy Manager, Alexandra Bielakowska, stated, “We are very concerned about Dong Yuyu’s health. Chinese prisons are notorious for their poor conditions, lack of independent and quality medical care, and neglect of prisoners’ welfare.”
According to RSF, Dong Yuyu was sentenced to seven years in prison after spending two years in pre-trial detention, a decision made in November 2024.
The organization described him as a rare independent voice in Chinese state media, having worked for 35 years at the tightly controlled Guangming Daily, where he consistently reported on human rights issues and abuses of power.
RSF emphasized that Chinese prisons are infamous for “filth and lack of transparency,” where numerous abuses occur. Detained journalists often face torture and mistreatment, and are frequently denied medical care.
The group provided examples, noting that Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan was shackled in prison and force-fed; journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin, who initiated the #MeToo movement in China, was subjected to the “tiger chair,” while political commentator Yang Hengjun faced mistreatment and torture in custody.
It further stated, “Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo and blogger Yang Tongyan both died in prison due to lack of medical treatment for cancer, while Kunchok Jinpa, who provided news related to Tibet for foreign media, died in custody.”
RSF reported that “China is the world’s largest prison for journalists and those fighting for press freedom,” with at least 120 media workers currently behind bars. In the 2026 RSF World Press Freedom Index, China ranks 178th out of 180 countries.
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