The Beijing Higher People's Court on Friday rejected Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong's appeal and upheld the original sentence of giving him five years in prison for espionage.

Ching Cheong, who worked for Singapore's Straits Times newspaper, is also deprived of political rights for one year, and his personal property worth 300,000 yuan (about US$ 37,500) was confiscated.

The original verdict of the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court in August was "accurate in application of the law and appropriate in meting out punishment," said a judge of the Beijing Higher People's Court.

During the second trial of the case, Ching's right to appeal has been fully guaranteed, the judge said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2006)