https://www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...n-charged-with-espionage-20190827-p52l30.html 'Stop interfering': China hits back at Australia over imprisoned Australian writer The arrest in China of Australian writer Yang Hengjun has dialled up the pressure in an already tense relationship between the two countries, with Foreign Minister Marise Payne insisting Dr Yang was not an Australian spy and the Chinese foreign ministry hitting back directly saying it "deplores" her comments. Chinese security agencies on Tuesday formally arrested Dr Yang in Beijing on suspicion of espionage after seven months in detention in a move that could see him facing severe penalties including more than 10 years in prison. Ms Payne said she was "very concerned and disappointed" at news of the arrest, and insisted: "There is no basis for any allegation Dr Yang was spying for the Australian government.” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang responded late on Tuesday, saying “China deplores the Australian foreign minister’s statement on this case”. He said the arrest of Dr Yang by the Beijing State Security Bureau had been approved by the prosecutor and that Dr Yang was in good health. “Australia should respect China’s sovereignty and stop interfering in China’s case handling,” he added, insisting that China was a country with rule of law. Chinese authorities have not detailed Dr Yang's alleged offences but those close to him believe it is as a result of his academic work and pro-democracy activism. Senator Payne told ABC's PM program that she had no information to support the accusation that Dr Yang was spying for any other country. She said the espionage offence is eligible for the death penalty in China "but we don’t have enough detail on the nature of the charges that may be laid to concern that at this stage". High-profile Chinese human rights lawyer Mo Shaoping confirmed that Dr Yang had been formally arrested. Dr Yang's wife collected the official notice in Beijing on Tuesday. A close friend of Dr Yang said a trial was now on the horizon.