The American children of one of China’s most-wanted fugitives are barred from leaving the country.
Chinese officials have defended their decision to bar three US citizens from leaving the country, saying they are suspected of « economic crimes ».
Victor and Cynthia Liu, children of a fugitive businessman, and their mother, Sandra Han, have been detained since June, the New York Times reported.
The US Department of State confirmed to the BBC that they are in « close contact » with the adult Liu children.
Their father, Liu Changming, is wanted in a $1.4bn (£1bn) fraud case in China.
« As we understand it from the relevant authorities, these people you have mentioned all have legal and valid identity documents as Chinese citizens, » Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a news conference, according to the Agence France-Presse.
« They are suspected of having committed economic crimes and have been restricted from leaving China by Chinese police. »
A US Department of State official told the BBC in an emailed statement that they are « in close contact » with Mr and Ms Liu and are providing « all appropriate consular services ».
