The American citizen was sentenced to eight years for allegedly violating state secret laws . The geologist , a naturalized American citizens , was convicted on charges of violating state secrets and faces a fine of 200,000 yuan ( about U.S. $ 30,400 ) . The US ambassador to China has called for his release on humanitarian parole . He was working in China as a geologist for a Colorado - based mining firm .
The American citizen was sentenced to eight years for allegedly violating state secret laws . The US ambassador to China has called for his release on humanitarian parole . He was working in China as a geologist for a Colorado - based mining firm .