China says it is investigating US woman Sandy Phan-Gillis, held since March, for spying
Texan Sandy Phan-Gillis is in detention for allegedly 'endangering China's national security'
An American woman suspected of spying is being investigated, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, as President Xi Jinping left for the United States on an official visit.
Sandy Phan-Gillis, from Texas, has been held by Chinese authorities for about six months, according to a statement from her family that was released online this week. The statement said she is suspected of spying and stealing state secrets.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Phan-Gillis was suspected of “endangering China’s national security” and is being investigated by “relevant Chinese authorities”.
China has permitted her at least 6 consular visits as of mid-September, and she was in good health and was cooperating with the investigation, Hong told a news briefing.
The Ministry of State Security could not be reached for comment.
“Sandy is not a spy or a thief,” her husband Jeff Gillis said, according to the statement. “She is a hard-working businesswoman who spends huge amounts of time on non-profit activities that benefit Houston-China relations.”