It concerns John Shing-wan Leung, also known as Liang Chengyun, who lived in Hong Kong. He was arrested two years ago by authorities in the city of Suzhou, in southeastern China, on suspicion of espionage.
His trial took place behind closed doors, but according to a court press release, the man pleaded guilty. He will be sentenced to life in prison and will also lose his civil rights.
The ruling comes at a time when relations between the US and China have deteriorated sharply.