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Sunday, February 9, 2003

(Beijing-AP) -- A Chinese court has convicted a U-S-based dissident on spying and terrorism charges and sentenced him to life in prison.

The official Xinhua News Agency says Wang Bingzhang (whahng bing jahng) was convicted by a court in southern China.

The 55-year-old Wang was arrested after police said they found him tied up in a temple July third. However, pro-democracy activists have suggested he was abducted in Vietnam by Chinese agents.

The U-S Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment.

Wang's daughter, who lives in California, says the family doesn't know what its next step will be.

In Hong Kong, activists say they tried to leave a letter protesting Wang's conviction at the central Chinese government's liaison office, but were blocked by about 50 police officers.

Wang, a Chinese citizen, has permanent residency status in the United States.

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