SYDNEY, Australia — The Australian government strongly rebuked Beijing on Friday for detaining one of its citizens, a writer who has called for liberalization in China, expressing concern over his welfare and calling for his release.

Australia was “deeply disappointed” to learn that Yang Hengjun, a Chinese-born Australian who has been in custody since January, had been placed in criminal detention, Marise Payne, the country’s foreign minister, said in a statement.

“We have asked for clarification regarding the reasons for Dr. Yang’s detention,” she said. “If he is being detained for his political views, then he should be released.”

The confrontation comes at a time of political tension between the two countries, with Australia taking steps to guard against foreign interference, even as it has leaned on China as a major trading partner. Last year, it banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from building a 5G wireless network, over potential cyberespionage concerns.