Australian to face trial next week on spying charges in China

An Australian writer and democracy activist will face trial for espionage in China next week, Foreign Minister Marise Payne has announced.

In a statement issued on Friday evening, Senator Marise Payne said Dr Yang Hengjun will face trial on May 27.

"Despite repeated requests by Australian officials, Chinese authorities have not provided any explanation or evidence for the charges facing Dr Yang," Senator Payne said.

READ MORE: The timeline of Yang Hengjun's arrest

"Since his detention, Dr Yang has had no access to his family, and limited, delayed access to his legal representation."

The Australian government has conveyed its concerns over Dr Yang's treatment and the lack of procedural fairness.

"Consistent with basic standards of justice and China's international legal obligations, we expect Dr Yang to be granted access to his lawyer and to Australian consular officials in advance of his trial.

"In line with China's obligations under the Australia-China bilateral consular agreement, we ask also that Australian officials be permitted access to Dr Yang's hearing on 27 May.

"This has been a closed and opaque process to date.

"As a basic standard of justice, access to the trial for observers should be a bare minimum to conform with international norms of transparency."

The Australian government is providing consular assistance to Dr Yang's family.

Dr Yang was taken into custody by Chinese officials in Guangzhou while stopping over on a connecting flight to Shanghai, en route to Australia in January 2019.

In July his wife was banned from leaving China. She is an Australian resident.

If convicted of espionage, Dr Yang could face the death penalty.

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