Australia has joined a show of international solidarity for two Canadians being tried behind closed doors in China on alleged charges of espionage amid growing US-led pressure on Beijing’s human rights record and its arbitrary detention of foreign citizens.

Diplomats from more than 20 countries, including Australia, the US and the UK, gathered on Monday outside a Beijing courthouse, where a trial was underway for former diplomat Michael Kovrig who has been detained for more than two years.