U.S. resident charged with espionage in China

WASHINGTON -- A pro-democracy activist jailed in China for more than a year was indicted by the Chinese government Thursday on charges of espionage and entering the country illegally, according to his wife and their lawyer.\nYang Jianli could go to trial as early as July 28. The trial will be closed because it involves "state secrets," according to information provided to Yang's wife, Christina Fu.\nThe espionage charges involve events that reportedly occurred more than 10 years ago, Fu said.\n"As we all know, Jianli is not a spy," Fu said from her Boston home Thursday. "All he wanted to do was to help his countrymen, his poor friends and relatives in China."\nA Chinese citizen with permanent U.S. residency, Yang is founder of the Boston-based Foundation for China in the 21st Century. He was detained by Chinese police in April 2002, while trying to board a plane in Kunming using false papers.\nHe was not allowed to see his lawyer or family members until about 10 days ago, as word about the potential charges began to leak out.\nA spokesman for the Chinese embassy, Sun Weide, said he was not aware of the indictment. But he said the "case has been quite clear."\nYang, he said, "entered China illegally.\n"China is a country governed by law, and if somebody breaks the Chinese law then he has to face the consequences."\nIf convicted of the espionage charge, Yang could face up to life in prison.\nAccording to documents from the Beijing Bureau of National Security Prosecution obtained by The Associated Press, Yang is charged with working with a group from the Taiwan Nationalist Party to promote democracy and human rights.\nChinese authorities allege Yang was assigned to collect inside information on Taiwan policy and living conditions on the China mainland.\nYang's case has gotten the attention of Congress and the U.S. State Department. The U.S. House passed a resolution calling for his release, and high ranking U.S. diplomatic officials -- including National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice -- have brought the matter up in discussion with the Chinese.