Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun, who is currently detained in China on espionage charges, has reportedly issued a plea to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to help him get back to Australia.
“Please help me go home as soon as possible,” Dr Yang reportedly said in a statement published by several Australian media outlets.
Australian officials visited Dr Yang in detention in Beijing on Tuesday.
"I am deeply indebted to the Australian embassy for coming to see me," Dr Yang said.
"A [Ministry of State Security] investigation officer told me that Australia was small and wouldn't care about me.
"He said Australia was dependent on China for its trade and economy, and Canberra wouldn't help me, let alone rescue me. He said Australia wouldn't help because I am not white.
"This is nonsense. He was wrong. I am extremely grateful to the Australian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and members of Parliament, the embassy team, and the ambassador for their help."
Mr Morrison said it is “absolutely untrue” Dr Yang has acted as a spy and denies Australia is interfering in the espionage case.
China has warned Australia to respect its sovereignty and butt out of the case, but Mr Morrison said the government is concerned about Dr Yang.
"We make no apologies for standing up for one of our citizens," Mr Morrison told the Nine Network on Thursday.
"There's their own justice process that they'll follow in China and that's appropriate, but these suggestions that he's acted for a spy for Australia are absolutely untrue."
Mr Morrison said he respects China's sovereignty.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says she has been focused on Dr Yang's welfare Source: AAP
"But we do expect Australians, indeed all citizens, to have their human rights appropriately looked after."
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said has been focused on Dr Yang's welfare as she endeavours to seek his release.
Senator Payne said China must comply with international laws banning torture, inhumane treatment and arbitrary detention.
Victorian barrister Julian McMahon - who helped try to save two Australian members of the Bali Nine from the death penalty - has recently joined Dr Yang’s case.
Mr McMahon said it could be months before details of the broad spying allegations are known.
Unlike the Australian system, people in China are detained, arrested and charged in three separate steps.
"The problem we have at the moment is that although our client has been detained, we don't have material, we don't have the basis of the detention except [for] a vague allegation," he said.
"And we don't have the timetable."
But Mr McMahon understands Dr Yang is in good spirits.
Dr Yang is a former Chinese diplomat who went on to become a pro-democracy campaigner and was made an Australian citizen in 2002.
The 54-year-old was detained in Guangzhou in January after flying into the country from New York where he was living with his family and working as a visiting scholar at Columbia University.
