Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun has been detained by Chinese authorities for alleged espionage, the family's lawyer told CNN Thursday. According to lawyer Mo Shaoping, Yang's family had received a written notice from Beijing's State Security Bureau confirming the writer's detention. Mo said he would be filing a petition to meet his client but wasn't sure if it would be allowed due to the nature of the charges against Yang.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement it would continue to seek confirmation as to why Yang had been taken and would attempt to obtain consular access to him "as a matter of priority." Australia's Defense Minister Christopher Pyne, who was visiting Beijing on Thursday, said he would raise the matter with his counterpart Wei Fenghe during their meeting.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement it would continue to seek confirmation as to why Yang had been taken and would attempt to obtain consular access to him "as a matter of priority." Australia's Defense Minister Christopher Pyne, who was visiting Beijing on Thursday, said he would raise the matter with his counterpart Wei Fenghe during their meeting.
