Photo: Xinhua

The case involving Yang Jun, or Yang Hengjun, a Chinese-born Australian writer, is being tried in the first instance for public prosecution on the charge of espionage, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Monday.

Zhao made the remarks during a routine press conference, commenting on an inquiry into Yang's case.

The Second Branch of the People's Procuratorate of Beijing Municipality sent the public prosecution against the Australian national to the Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court on October 7. The relevant Chinese departments are handling the case in line with laws and fully ensuring and protecting Yang's legal rights, Zhao said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Yang's detention for engaging in activities undermining China's national security on January 24, 2019.

Global Times