US Scholar of Myanmar Detained in China Was on Academic Visit, Think Tank Says

An American scholar specializing in Myanmar, Min Zin, was detained in China on June 3 while en route to Kunming for an academic workshop. The Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP) - Myanmar, a think tank co-founded by Min Zin, confirmed his detention and called for his unconditional release.

“

ISP-Myanmar calls for the immediate and unconditional release of U Min Zin, who was detained while traveling to Kunming, China, for the sole purpose of attending an academic workshop.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged Min Zin's arrest last week, alleging he is suspected of espionage and endangering national security. The think tank strongly refuted these claims, stating that Min Zin was in Kunming solely for academic purposes. "ISP-Myanmar strongly rejects and condemns any groundless allegations," the organization said in a statement.

“

ISP-Myanmar strongly rejects and condemns any groundless allegations.

Min Zin, who studied political science at the University of California, Berkeley, is a former student activist involved in Myanmar's 1988 democracy movement. He helped establish ISP-Myanmar, which relocated overseas after the 2021 military coup in Myanmar. The think tank focuses on the country's conflict, political transition, economy, and its relations with China.

“

China will handle this case in accordance with the law.

The detention occurred weeks before a state visit to China by Myanmar's junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing. China is a key foreign partner of Myanmar's military regime, which seized power in a February 2021 coup, leading to widespread protests and armed resistance. The ISP-Myanmar emphasized the importance of allowing academic and research organizations to operate without intimidation.

“

It is vital that academic and research organizations such as ISP-Myanmar should be able to conduct their work without intimidation.