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Yang Hengjun has been detained since January,2019.Credit:AP

Chinese authorities have blamed the coronavirus for the suspension of the visits. Prior to that,Dr Yang was allowed a monthly half-hour visit from a representative from the Australian consulate.

A template letter Amnesty International is distributing to members around the world to then send to Chinese authorities says it is worried Dr Yang was not receiving proper medical care.

"Suffering from memory loss,dizziness,blood pressure related issues and several other serious health conditions,it is crucial that he get immediate and proper care,"the letter reads.

"Because Yang is currently being held incommunicado without access to consular visits,lawyer of his choice or his family,I am gravely concerned for his wellbeing and fear that he is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment."

According to sources with knowledge of the situation,there is growing concern Dr Yang has been subject to sleep deprivation and around-the-clock interrogations.

Dr Yang is being detained at Beijing State Security Bureau Detention Centre,where his last consular visit was December 30 last year.

The heightened concerns about Dr Yang come after Australian manKarm Gillespie was last week sentenced to death for having 7.5kg of methamphetamines in his luggage.

Dr Yang was detained in January last year and formally arrested by the Beijing State Security Bureau on August 23 on suspicion of endangering Chinese national security. Chinese authorities have declined to specify the claims against the 54-year-old pro-democracy activist who became an Australian citizen in 2002.

Espionage law in China applies the death penalty to particularly serious cases that involve sabotage causing heavy losses or instructing an enemy attack.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne last year said the pro-democracy political blogger was restricted from communicating with family and friends and subjected to"daily interrogation,including while shackled". She said Dr Yang was being held in"increased isolation from the outside world"and the conditions were"unacceptable".

Amnesty International called on Chinese authorities to release Dr Yang"immediately and unconditionally unless there is sufficient credible and admissible evidence that he has committed an internationally recognised offence and is granted a fair trial in line with international standards".

Pending his release,the human rights group said China needed to ensure Dr Yang had regular,unrestricted access to visits from consular staff and family and lawyers,and give him immediate access to any medical care he may need.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it continued to advocate for direct contact with Dr Yang.

"We have expressed serious concerns for his welfare,and about the conditions under which he is being held,"the DFAT spokesman said.

"Chinese authorities have not permitted Australian Consular officials to undertake consular visits with Dr Yang since our last visit on 30 December 2019.

"There have been interruptions to consular access in many locations given COVID19 restrictions. In the absence of broader consular visits,we have repeatedly requested to speak to Dr Yang by telephone. To date,this has not occurred."

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