Chinese officials in Guangzhou took Dr Hengjun into custody in January 2019 when he stopped over on a connecting flight to Shanghai, en route to Australia.
Senior Australian lawyers have called on the Chinese government to ensure Dr Hengjun has access to independent legal counsel.
Law Council president Jacoba Brasch said the right to independent legal assistance must be ensured.
“And access to effective legal representation should be guaranteed to all persons at all stages of criminal proceedings,” she said in a statement.
“This is a fundamental precondition to realising the right to a fair trial.”
Dr Brasch said Dr Yang’s treatment by Chinese authorities fell short of international standards.
The council has voiced concerns for Dr Yang’s condition and a lack of procedural fairness since he was detained.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne last week requested Australian officials be permitted to access the court and labelled the process to date “closed and opaque”.
Ms Payne said China had not provided an explanation, nor evidence of the charges of espionage.
Amnesty International went further yesterday, labelling the allegations “totally baseless” and calling on Chinese authorities to guarantee a fair trial.
“This is an outrageous attack on his right to freedom of expression,” Amnesty International China team head Joshua Rosenzweig said.
“He remains at grave risk of torture and other ill-treatment.”
The Australian government is providing consular assistance to Dr Yang’s family.
This content first appear on 9news