03:45China: MoFA confirms Australian writer Yang Jun under arrest for spying
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang confirmed that Australian academic Yang Jun was arrested on suspicion of espionage and demanded that Australia respect China's legal sovereignty over the case, at a regular briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
"At present, the case is under investigation. Relevant Chinese security institutions are handling the case in accordance with the law and fully guarantee the rights of Yang Jun," Geng Shuang said. "The Chinese side has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Australian side's statement on the case."
It comes in response to Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne's statement that said Yang had been held "in Beijing in harsh conditions without charge for more than seven months."
Regarding the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, Geng Shuang once again reiterated that it is a domestic Chinese affair.
"We can handle our own problems. G7 members shouldn't meddle in it with concealed intentions," he said. "According to international law and the basic norms governing international relations, no country or institution can intervene in Hong Kong affairs under the pretence of the China-British Joint Declaration."
Referring to the trade dispute with Washington, the spokesperson called on the US authorities to return to the negotiating table, saying: "We hope the US can remain calm, stay rational, stop the misbehaviour immediately as well as create a good atmosphere to solve trade disputes via talks based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit."
03:45Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang confirmed that Australian academic Yang Jun was arrested on suspicion of espionage and demanded that Australia respect China's legal sovereignty over the case, at a regular briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
"At present, the case is under investigation. Relevant Chinese security institutions are handling the case in accordance with the law and fully guarantee the rights of Yang Jun," Geng Shuang said. "The Chinese side has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Australian side's statement on the case."
It comes in response to Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne's statement that said Yang had been held "in Beijing in harsh conditions without charge for more than seven months."
Regarding the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, Geng Shuang once again reiterated that it is a domestic Chinese affair.
"We can handle our own problems. G7 members shouldn't meddle in it with concealed intentions," he said. "According to international law and the basic norms governing international relations, no country or institution can intervene in Hong Kong affairs under the pretence of the China-British Joint Declaration."
Referring to the trade dispute with Washington, the spokesperson called on the US authorities to return to the negotiating table, saying: "We hope the US can remain calm, stay rational, stop the misbehaviour immediately as well as create a good atmosphere to solve trade disputes via talks based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit."