China Detains U.S. Citizen of Myanmar Origin on Suspicion of Espionage

China has detained a U.S. citizen of Myanmar origin, U Min Zin, on suspicion of engaging in activities that endanger national security, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian. Beijing confirmed the arrest after being notified by the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou.

Lin Jian stated that criminal coercive measures have been imposed on U Min Zin due to suspicions of "engaging in espionage activities that endanger China's national security." The detention occurred on June 3 in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar. U Min Zin, a political scientist and former executive director of a policy research organization based in Yangon, had been living and working in both the U.S. and Myanmar.

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We are aware of reports concerning the detention of a U.S. citizen in China. Whenever a U.S. citizen is detained, we seek to provide all appropriate consular assistance.

This incident marks a rare instance of China arresting a U.S. citizen on such serious charges. It follows a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May. U Min Zin, who has written opinion pieces for The New York Times and Foreign Policy, was reportedly traveling to Kunming for a meeting when he was detained at the airport.

The U.S. State Department acknowledged awareness of the situation and stated it is providing appropriate consular assistance. The exact nature of U Min Zin's activities at the time of his detention remains unclear.

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China has imposed criminal coercive measures on Min Zin on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities that endanger China's national security.