The trial of Chinese Australian journalist Cheng Lei on espionage charges has begun in Beijing, with diplomats denied permission to attend. The Australian ambassador said the secrecy gave Australia “no confidence in the validity” of the trial proceedings.
China has not provided any specifics about what offenses Cheng is accused of committing.
China’s state security statutes are notoriously vague and the ruling Communist Party is frequently accused of using them to silence political enemies or other critics. Australian diplomats last visited her in detention on March 21 and Fletcher said she appeared to be “doing OK.” China does not recognize dual citizenship and Chinese-born defendants are often not afforded the same treatment as other foreign nationals, particularly when facing espionage charges.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.S. and China risk armed conflict if they don't set rules for competition, ex-Australia PM saysA minimum set of mutually recognized red lines would dramatically reduce risk of conflict, Kevin Rudd argues.
Read more »
Opening statements made in trial of Jacksonville Beach man accused of killing, dismembering teen in 1994Attorneys delivered opening statements Tuesday in the trial of Ronnie Hyde, the former youth pastor charged with the 1994 murder of a teenage boy, whose dismembered remains weren’t identified until 2016.
Read more »
Opening statements set in trial of Jacksonville Beach man accused of killing, dismembering teen in 1994Attorneys are scheduled to start opening statements Tuesday in the trial of Ronnie Hyde, the former youth pastor charged with murdering a teenage boy, whose dismembered remains weren’t identified until 2016.
Read more »
EU to Pressure China at Virtual Summit Over Its Stance on Russia-Ukraine War, Sources SayEuropean Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are speaking Friday with China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Read more »
U.S. Charges Chinese Agent in Alleged Schemes to Forcibly Repatriate U.S., Canadian ResidentsFederal prosecutors accused a Chinese agent of illegally working with a local U.S. law enforcement officer and others, in an effort to forcibly repatriate U.S. and Canadian residents the Chinese government alleges are criminals
Read more »
Chinese agent targeted dissidents in United States, U.S. prosecutors sayU.S. prosecutors on Wednesday accused a Chinese citizen of seeking to pressure critics of China's government living in the United States to travel to China, where they might face punishment. Sun Hoy Ying, 53, was charged with two counts of acting and conspiring to act as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government, according to a complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court. U.S. prosecutors said the FBI has been investigating people who at the direction of China's government were involved in a campaign, known as 'Operation Fox Hunt' or 'Operation Skynet,' to forcibly repatriate people whom China considered fugitives.
Read more »