China's foreign ministry on Monday partially confirmed Japanese news reports that six Japanese citizens were under investigation in China on suspicion of espionage.
Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press conference that six Japanese citizens had been placed under investigation by the Chinese authorities in accordance with the law on suspicion of conducting "illegal activities", and that the Japanese consulate had been informed.
She did not confirm however that the six were currently in custody, and it was unclear whether the investigation was still ongoing. Hua also gave no details about the activities the six were allegedly involved in.
Japanese news agency Kyodo reported Monday that six Japanese men have been in custody since March possibly on suspicion of espionage, citing a Japanese government source. Three were detained in east China's Shandong Province and three in southern Hainan Province .They were suspected of spying at a naval port and other facilities, the report said.
