They were convicted of espionage.

他们被判有罪。

Experts said China's sidelining, for now at least, of the graver espionage claims may signal an effort to reduce political friction with Australia over the matter.

专家说，中国靠边站，至少目前，在严重索赔可能信号，以减少政治摩擦与澳大利亚对此事。