Chinese journalist held on espionage charges

Zhao Yan, reports The Washington Post, is being held following the Times publishing a story saying former president Jiang Zemin was about to resign from his last official post, as head of the Communist Party military commission. Although the Times said Zhao did not originate the story, Zhao\'s family was later notified that he was accused of passing state secrets to foreigners. Zhao\'s arrest and prosecution are part of what appears to be a toughening of the government\'s attitude toward Chinese who work for foreign news organisations. A Hong Kong reporter for the Singapore Straits Times, Ching Cheong, has been accused of espionage. Ching is accused of accepting large payments in return for information. Full report in The Washington Post