THE family of jailed Straits Times journalist Ching Cheong is seeking parole for the Hong Kong resident, now serving a five-year sentence for espionage in a Guangdong prison, his wife said yesterday.

It has been over 1,000 days since Ching, this newspaper's Chief China Correspondent, was detained on the mainland in April 2005.
He was convicted in Beijing of spying for Taiwan in August 2006.

'He has passed the halfway mark of his jail term, which means he could be eligible for parole,' said Professor Ong Yew Kim of Hong Kong's Chinese University.

He stands a chance of parole, especially if his conduct has been good, said Prof Ong, a former mainland judge.

Ching's friends and family had previously hoped that the 58-year-old could be released on medical grounds.

However, this seems unlikely now, Prof Ong said, given that he has reportedly recovered from his illness.

Ching's wife, Ms Mary Lau, said last month that he no longer faces the threat of cancer following the disappearance of polyps in his large intestine.

Ching was diagnosed with polyps in 2000, and his family had feared that these could develop into colon cancer given prison conditions and stress.

Speaking to The Straits Times yesterday, Ms Lau said the family was drafting a letter to ask the Guangzhou prison authorities to consider an application for parole.

'Only the prison can apply for parole for Ching, and we can only hope for the best,' said Ms Lau, who is allowed to visit her husband once a month.

She also said they would mark their 25th wedding anniversary apart today.

'I hope we can finally be together on this day next year,' she said.

China has granted parole to prisoners including political dissidents such as student leader Wang Dan, who was involved in the Tiananmen Square protests. He was released in 1993, four months before his four-year term was up.

In 2000, another democracy protester, Chen Lantao, was released on parole after serving 11 years of an 18-year sentence.
Speculation over Ching's release surfaces whenever a major milestone in China draws close.

For example, many had hoped for his release last year as a gesture of goodwill during celebrations to mark Hong Kong's 10th year under mainland rule.

Now, it is hoped that the authorities will consider releasing him before Beijing hosts the Olympics in August.
In a letter to Hong Kong's Chinese-language newspaper Mingpao Daily yesterday, Ching's brother appealed for his release in time for next month's Chinese New Year.

Mr Ching Hai also said: 'From recent visits and letters, we can tell that (Ching) has been through the entire cycle of shock and recuperation, and is now looking forward to again living life to the fullest. 'That is the best response to those who care about him.'