Feng Chongyi, a vocal critic of the Chinese government, was barred from leaving China. He has been an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney.
He was detained during the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Australia. There are no formal changes given to the professor.
The professor was in Guangzhou and was repeatedly questioned by national security officers of his purpose of stay and meeting with some people while in China. He is accompanied by a lawyer, Chen Jinxue.
Chen said that Feng has "been told he's suspected of involvement in a threat to national security."
"His movements inside China aren't officially restricted, but national security authorities have questioned him a number of times about who he's met and that kind of thing," he added.
The lawyer said that Feng is requested to stay in China for a couple of days so that he can answer queries from the security officers.
Aside from the professor's vocal criticism of the Chinese government, he has been investigating the cases of human rights violations on lawyers that have been jailed. Chen believes that this is why Chinese authorities want to interrogate Feng.
The Australian foreign ministry said that they cannot interfere with Feng's case as he is not an Australian citizen. Feng is only a permanent resident of Australia.
The ministry responded to queries via email and wrote, "The Australian Government is aware that a U.T.S. professor, who is an Australian permanent resident, has been prevented from leaving China."
The ministry added, "the Australian government is able to provide consular assistance only to Australian citizens who have entered China on their Australian passport."
Supporters of Feng from the academic community believe that the professor has not violated any law.
"We are urging the Australian government to intervene," said John Hu, a spokesman in Sydney for the Embracing Australian Values Alliance.
Hu added, "Feng has not breached the Chinese law--his doings were not even under China's jurisdiction, and the Chinese government has no right to persecute him."