Australian writer Yang Hengjun charged with 'spying' in China, arrested

Australian writer and political commentator Yang Hengjun, who is under detention since January this year, has been formally arrested on suspicion of espionage, media reports said on Tuesday.

The 54-year-old Yang had been under investigation for "harming" China's national security and was arrested on August 23 on suspicion of committing crimes of espionage, according to an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) report.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said the government efforts to gain additional information had been difficult.

"The government is very concerned and disappointed to learn that Australian citizen and academic Yang Hengjun was formally arrested in China on suspicion of espionage on 23 August and will continue to be criminally detained," she said.

"Our thoughts are with Dr Yang and his family at this very difficult time. Yang has been held in Beijing in harsh conditions without charge for more than seven months. Since that time, China has not explained the reasons for Dr Yang's detention, nor has it allowed him access to his lawyers or family visits."