Australian writer missing in China feared detained

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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Australian diplomats are asking China for information on a Chinese-born Australian novelist and blogger who disappeared in the country.

There are fears Yang Hengjun may have been detained in China's massive crackdown on political expression.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Tuesday that it is investigating the disappearance of the Sydney-based spy novelist and former Chinese Foreign Ministry official.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Yang phoned a friend Sunday from Guangzhou airport in southeastern China to say three men were following him. He has not been heard from since.

Beijing has had no comment. China has recently detained dozens of activists to prevent any copying of the democracy uprisings across the Middle East.