China detains Xie Chunren, a Chinese-born U.S. citizen for alleged spying for Taiwan and has kept him under house arrest without charge for nearly three months.
Xie, 56, who traveled frequently to China for work related to his business selling nutritional supplements was arrested in Sichuan province on May 31 after he traveled there from the United States. Xie's son, Xie Yuanyang , said by telephone in New Jersey his father was not a spy.
In Washington, a State Department official said both the consulate in Chengdu and embassy in Beijing were following the case very closely and providing all possible assistance.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the case was handled in accordance with the law. (Source: Reuters, The New York Times, August 19, 2005)