A Chinese Australian writer detained in Beijing since January has been charged with endangering state security and moved from house arrest to a detention center, his lawyer and a friend said Thursday. Add InterestChina said Yang Hengjun's case was under investigation by the Chinese national security department but hasn't elaborated on the accusations. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the Australian Embassy was seeking confirmation that Yang had been transferred to a Beijing detention center. The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the national security department was handling Yang's case. Payne said last week that her government had raised Yang's case "regularly with China at senior levels."

Source: ABC News July 18, 2019 07:22 UTC