An Australian citizen has been detained for “endangering China’s national security,” China’s foreign ministry said Thursday.

The Australian government said earlier this week that Chinese-born Australian writer Yang Hengjun had gone missing in China.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the detained Australian was “Yang Jun,” without clarifying whether they were the same person. Hua added that Yang’s legal rights are being protected and that Beijing has informed the Australian Embassy in China about the detention.

At yesterday’s foreign ministry press briefing, Hua said she was “unaware” of a case involving Yang Hengjun.

Australia’s defense minister Christopher Pyne — who landed in China Thursday on a previously planned visit — said Beijing informed Australia about Yang Hengjun four days after he was detained, and that the two sides have discussed his situation. 

China detained two Canadians last month on suspicion of endangering national security.

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