Judge, Jury, Executioner: Beijing Trying to Change How We Think About Taiwan

Commentary The ad hoc nature of Beijing’s bungling and bullying foreign policy has been highlighted yet again through the differing treatment of political prisoners Yang Hengjun and Cheng Lei. Both Australian citizens were apprehended for spurious alleged crimes against the state. The possible penalties were harsh. In a dictatorship where the judiciary is the lapdog of the leadership, one can get an insight into the party’s thinking and priorities from the judge’s gavel and decision. At a time when it suited the Beijing dictatorship to allow relations with Australia to thaw, Cheng Lei was unexpectedly released. It was hailed as a diplomatic coup and a success for Foreign Minister Penny Wong. All of Australia celebrated Cheng Lei’s release. The export discussions became more relaxed....