China has taken aim at Foreign Minister Marise Payne, labelling her comments that Beijing has kept Australia in the dark about espionage charges against Australian citizen Yang Hengjun as "deplorable".
Key points:
- Yang Hengjun's trial will take place behind closed doors on May 27
- Senator Payne said Dr Yang had no access to his family and limited access to his legal representation since his detention
- The Chinese embassy in Canberra Australia should "respect China's judicial sovereignty"
Dr Yang, 56, has been languishing behind bars for more than two years, denying the charges levelled at him and claiming to be a victim of political persecution.
The ABC has confirmed his trial will begin on May 27 in Beijing, behind closed doors.
Senator Payne had argued Dr Yang had "no access to his family and limited, delayed access to his legal representation" since he was detained in 2019.
"Despite repeated requests by Australian officials, Chinese authorities have not provided any explanation or evidence for the charges facing Dr Yang," she said in a statement.
ABC News: Nick Haggarty
)The comments prompted a stern rebuttal from Beijing, which issued a statement through the Chinese embassy in Canberra.
"China has repeatedly made clear its position on the case concerning [the] relevant Australian citizen."
Australia is demanding its own diplomats in China be granted access to the closed trial, in what Senator Payne said was the "bare minimum to conform with international norms of transparency".
"Chinese judicial authorities handle the case strictly in accordance with law and fully protect the lawful rights of the relevant person," the embassy's spokesperson said.
"The Australian side should respect China's judicial sovereignty and refrain from interfering in any form in Chinese judicial authorities' lawful handling of the case."
The Federal Opposition said it was supportive of the government's advocacy for Dr Yang.
"We are frustrated that the Chinese government has failed to provide information and transparency when it comes to the charges against Dr Yang," Shadow Home Affairs Minister Kristina Keneally said.
Senator Keneally would not be drawn on whether she believed Australia's strained diplomatic relationship with China harmed Dr Yang's case, and she said the matter was "sensitive".
Senator Payne's last phone call with her Chinese counterpart was in January 2020.
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2021-05-22 07:31:02Z
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