American businesswoman arrested on espionage charges

Chinese authorities have formally arrested an American businesswoman, Sandy Phan-Gillis, on suspicion of espionage after secretly holding her for more than six months, The New York Times reported, citing her husband. Jeff Gillis said he received the news on Sunday, two days before President Xi Jinping was to arrive in Seattle. He said he did not know the details of the accusations against his wife, but said the assertion that she had been involved in espionage was ludicrous. Gillis maintained his wife made a living as a consultant, helping broker business ventures and investments between China and the United States, including programs to train Chinese nurses.