China Confirms an Australian Writer Was Detained on National Security Charge

China's foreign ministry says that Chinese-Australian blogger, novelist and former Chinese diplomat Yang Hengjun was detained on charges of endangering national security.

Speaking at a daily press briefing in Beijing Thursday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying offered few details about the case but confirmed Yang's arrest on suspicion of "criminal activities," the Associated Press reports.

China's foreign ministry says that Chinese-Australian blogger, novelist and former Chinese diplomat Yang Hengjun was detained on charges of endangering national security. Speaking at a daily press briefing in Beijing Thursday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying offered few details about the case but confirmed Yang's arrest on suspicion of "criminal activities," the Associated Press reports.