The wife of an Australian man detained in China since January has been slapped with a travel ban, stopping her from leaving the country.

Yang Hengjun, a 53-year-old Chinese-born writer, was detained in the southern city of Guangzhou earlier in the year after flying in from New York.

His wife Yuan Xiaoliang, who is a permanent resident of Australia, was questioned by Chinese authorities at the weekend after unsuccessfully trying to leave the country.

It is understood she is subject to an exit ban but was not detained.

The foreign minister, Marise Payne, said Australia had been regularly raising Dr Yang’s case with China at senior levels.

“We have requested his case be treated fairly, transparently, and expeditiously,” Senator Payne said on Monday.

The minister said the Australian continued to have consular access, and asked that Dr Yang be granted immediate access to his lawyers.

“Australia has asked for clarification regarding the reasons for his detention,” Senator Payne said.

“And we have said that if he is being detained purely for his political views then he should be released.”

Ms Yuan is not an Australian citizen, so has no right to consular access, but it is understood Australia has asked Chinese authorities she be allowed to travel to Australia.

Dr Yang has been an Australian citizen since 2002.

He had been living in New York as a visiting scholar at Columbia University, before leaving for Guangzhou on January 18.