China defended its death sentence on a man spying for Taiwan on Thursday in Beijing, saying the trial has been fair.

"Chinese citizen Wo Weihan broke the laws of the People's Republic of China. Sentence on him has been made by Chinese courts according to the laws", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular press conference.

In reply to a reporter's question, Qin stressed that the judicial procedure was just and fair and the rights of the accused were well protected.

"China is a country run by law and the final verdict concerning Wo was independently made by the relevant Chinese judicial organs", Qin said.

He stressed that all citizens are equal before the law, and that Wo can not be an exception simply because he has foreign relatives.

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2008)