U.S. Scholar Arrested in China on Espionage Charges
A spokesperson for the Chinese government announced on Friday that an American citizen, a scholar, has been detained on allegations of espionage.
Lin Jian, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated that U Min Jin, who founded the Strategic Policy Institute for Myanmar, is facing “criminal coercive measures.” Lin described the charges against Min Jin as “engaging in espionage and endangering China’s national security.”
Reports indicate that Min Jin was taken into custody on June 3 in Kunming, a city in Yunnan province, which is close to Myanmar. Sources shared with CBS News suggested that he was apprehended at Kunming Airport while heading to a conference.
An individual who knows Min Jin well told Agence France-Presse that his family has been in contact with the local consulate, expressing concern for his wellbeing.
In an unexpected twist, Min Jin has a history as a student activist from the 1988 pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. His journey saw him travel to Thailand to avoid arrest before moving to the United States. He returned to Myanmar in 2010. Recently, he has been contributing opinion essays about Myanmar politics for the New York Times.
The U.S. State Department, in a statement shared with CBS News, acknowledged awareness of the reports regarding the detention of Americans in China, emphasizing their commitment to providing consular assistance when U.S. citizens are held abroad.
Liu Pengyu, representing the Chinese embassy in Washington, asserted that Min Jin’s “legitimate rights are fully guaranteed.”
This incident is particularly notable because it is rare for China to arrest American citizens on national security grounds. Min Jin’s arrest comes shortly after former President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
Adding more complexity to the situation, Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing is expected to visit Beijing next week. The Chinese government maintains a strong relationship with Myanmar’s military junta, which came to power following a coup in 2021. Min Jin was also slated to deliver a speech at a conference in Kathmandu, Nepal, later in June.
