Yang Hengjun: a timeline of events

CHINESE-AUSTRALIAN ACTIVIST DR YANG HENGJUN: A TIMELINE OF EVENTS

2011

MARCH 27

* The well known Chinese novelist and democracy activist Dr Yang Hengjun is followed by three men in China's Guangzhou airport, sparking fears he could be detained as part of a government crackdown on political expression.

MARCH 27 - APRIL 2

* The writer disappears and is not heard from for a week, fuelling speculation he has been detained by Chinese officials.

APRIL 2

* Dr Yang re-emerges and thanks supporters for their efforts, saying his disappearance was just a "misunderstanding" and that he was "sick".

2019

JANUARY 24

* Dr Yang is taken into custody by Chinese officials at Guangzhou airport while stopping over for a connecting flight to Shanghai, before travelling on to Australia.

JANUARY - JULY

* Dr Yang is held in a residential surveillance facility, without charge and access to family or lawyers. Australian officials are allowed to visit him.

JULY 8

* His wife Yuan Xiaoliang is banned from leaving China.

* Australia asks Chinese officials to let the permanent Australian resident leave of the country.

JULY 19

* Dr Yang is moved from the residential surveillance centre to a state security prison in the lead up to charges being laid.

* Foreign Minister Marise Payne says he should be released if the detention is over his political views.

JULY 20

* Chinese foreign ministry officials say Australia should "stop interfering in the handling of the case" and issuing "irresponsible remarks".

AUGUST 23

* The Australian embassy receives word Dr Yang has been charged on suspicion of committing espionage. If convicted he could face the death penalty.

AUGUST 27

* Marise Payne calls on the Chinese government to respect international laws banning torture, inhumane treatment and arbitrary detention.

* Payne says she is concerned about Dr Yang's situation and the conditions under which he's been detained are "harsh".

AUGUST 28

* Chinese authorities warn Australia not to interfere in the case, releasing a statement saying Australia should respect China's sovereignty and "rule of law".

* Payne responds, saying Australia will continue to prosecute the case that Dr Yang should be allowed basic entitlements such as access to his lawyers and communication with his family.