Yang Hengjun’s lawyers denied access

Lawyers for Australian-Chinese writer, Yang Hengjun, have been unable to contact their client, despite his move into detention.

Yang Hengjun, left, poses with his family member in Beijing, in 2017. Picture: Supplied

Lawyers for Australian-Chinese writer, Yang Hengjun, have been denied access to their client, despite his move into detention in Beijing last week after six months under house arrest.

The 53-year-old, who was arrested at Guangzhou airport in January when he arrived from New York, has not had access to lawyers or seen his family since.

Yang’s lawyers formally applied again to see their clients last week following his move into a state security detention centre in Beijing last week.

But they told The Australian that their latest application to see their client had been rejected by the national security bureau of Beijing, saying “the case involves state security”.

Lawyer Shang Baojun said that the state security bureau had 37 days from the date of detention to further investigate his case for more evidence against him before a prosecutor decides whether to make formal charges against him.

“This is a crucial period for Yang,” his co-lawyer, Mo Shaoping told The Australian.

“If the prosecutor decides that there is not enough evidence to charge him, the bureau has to either release him or give him probation,” he said.

Yang’s long time friend, Sydney based UTS professor Feng Chongyi, told The Australian that it was “shocking” that Yang had been formally detained despite the inability so far of officials to find evidence that he had endangered state security.

The Morrison government stepped up its pressure on the Chinese government over the Yang case last week with Foreign Minister Marise Payne issuing a statement saying she was “deeply disappointed” that the Chinese-Australian was placed into criminal detention.

“We have asked for clarification regarding the reasons for Dr Yang’s detention,” she said.

“If he is being detained for his political views, then he should be released.”

Ms Payne also called on the Chinese government to allow Yang to have access to his lawyers.

She said the Australian government would “continue to press Chinese authorities for fair and humane treatment” of Yang.

Ms Payne’s comments earned her a rebuke from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

“China deplores the statement by the Australian foreign minister, urges the Australian side to stop interfering in the handling of the case by the Chinese side and stop making irresponsible remarks,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

Mr Geng said Yang was “suspected of criminal activities endangering China’s national security.”

“The Beijing State Security Bureau has taken compulsory measures on him and investigated him according to law,” he said.

Yang’s wife, Ms Xiaoliang Yuan, who is in Shanghai, has not seen her husband since his arrest and is not allowed to leave China or speak to the media by Chinese authorities.