China deports US businesswoman accused of spying

China has deported Sandy Phan-Gillis, the U.S. businesswoman convicted of spying.

In China, Phan-Gillis was accused of espionage, which carries a possible death sentence.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement that Phan had been visiting China in 2015 "to strengthen commercial and cultural exchanges on behalf of the city of Houston."

"The Chinese government — cynically and to the astonishment of many — perceived this cultural bridge-builder as a threat," he said. "Sandy was unjustly deprived of her liberty for two years, time during which she was denied basic legal protections and her loved ones lacked accurate information about her condition."

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