Treat writer Yang Hengjun fairly, Scott Morrison tells China

Scott Morrison has expressed ‘great concern’ over the Chinese government’s treatment of detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun.

Chinese-Australian author Yang Hengjun.

Scott Morrison has expressed “great concern” over the Chinese government’s treatment of ­detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun, who has been isolated, shackled and interrogated daily in an effort to “break” him.

The Prime Minister said the government would continue to demand fair treatment for Dr Yang, who has been detained in China for almost a year for alleged espionage offences that have not been detailed by Chinese authorities. “Australia always has to stand up for our citizens and we have to be true to who we are as a people,” Mr Morrison said.

“The most recent consular ­access was a matter of great concern to me and the Foreign Minister, and we will continue to make those representations on behalf of an Australian citizen.”

Mr Morrison said the Australian government had consistently called on the Chinese government to ensure access to family and treatment for Dr Yang “that would meet world standards”.

He said the government had raised concerns over the blocking of requests for Dr Yang to speak to his legal team, and the lack of “a clear enunciation of what” he is accused of.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia had repeatedly asked Chinese authorities for an explanation of the charges against Dr Yang. “We have also made repeated requests for him to be afforded basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and ­humane treatment, in line with international norms, including access to his lawyers and family.”

She said Australia would continue to “express our expectations in clear terms” that Dr Yang be released, and be “treated fairly and humanely” while in custody.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said Labor was “deeply concerned by the poor treatment and continued criminal detention” of Dr Yang.

A Chinese-born writer and former diplomat, Dr Yang became an Australian citizen in 2002.