3 hrs ago
Trump to Ask Xi to Free Detained US Seismologist
Youlin Chen is a US seismologist who has been held in China since late 2024.
His wife, Yufang Rong, says he did research about detecting underground nuclear tests.
She says the research was public and used information anyone could find.
US officials reportedly told her that Donald Trump will ask Xi Jinping to free Chen.
Trump and Xi are meeting this week.
The United States says Chen is being wrongfully detained.
China says its courts and laws are handling the case properly.
Rong worries that Chen could be charged with spying and is concerned about his health and living conditions.
She told him to stay strong and said people are helping him.
Yufang Rong said White House officials told her Donald Trump will ask Xi Jinping to release her husband, Youlin Chen.
Chen, a US seismologist, has been detained in China since November 5, 2024, after visiting family and lecturing at universities.
The United States has designated Chen and scholar Min Zin as “wrongfully detained” Americans.
Rong fears Chen could face fabricated espionage charges despite his openly published, US-funded research conducted with Chinese scientists.
China’s foreign ministry says its judiciary handles cases according to law and rejects the characterization of “wrongful detention.”
- Who
- Youlin Chen, his wife Yufang Rong, US President Donald Trump, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
- What
- Trump is expected to ask Xi to release Chen, a US seismologist detained in China.
- Where
- Chen was arrested at Beijing International Airport and is being held in China.
- When
- Chen was arrested on November 5, 2024; Rong made the disclosure on Tuesday, ahead of Trump and Xi’s meeting on Wednesday.
- Why
- The United States considers Chen wrongfully detained, while China says its judiciary is handling the case according to law.
US Position
Chinese Position
Nature of Chen’s detention
US Position
The United States and Chen’s wife say he is wrongfully detained and may face fabricated espionage charges.
Chinese Position
China’s foreign ministry says its judiciary handles cases according to law and says there is no such thing as wrongful detention.
Purpose of Chen’s research
US Position
Rong says Chen’s work was openly funded, publicly published, based on public data, and conducted with Chinese scientists.
Chinese Position
Chinese authorities have not publicly responded to the specific allegations in the report.
Diplomatic resolution
US Position
The White House says resolving wrongful detentions is a top priority, and Trump is expected to ask Xi to release Chen and Min Zin.
Chinese Position
Trump previously raised Chen’s case with Xi in May, but Rong said that produced no action.
Key facts
- Detainee
- Youlin Chen, a 54-year-old US seismologist
- Arrest date
- November 5, 2024
- Arrest location
- Beijing International Airport
- US designation
- Chen is one of two Americans designated by the United States as “wrongfully detained”
- Other detainee
- Min Zin, a scholar arrested in June
- Research focus
- Detecting shockwaves from North Korean underground nuclear tests
- Health concerns
- Rong said Chen has high blood pressure and diabetes and has received substandard medical care and food
- Diplomatic action
- Trump is expected to raise Chen’s case with Xi Jinping during their Wednesday meeting
Quotes
Yufang Rong
The wife of detained US seismologist Youlin Chen.
“Be strong. Be optimistic. There are a lot of people helping you. You will come back for sure.”
theprint.in
“I can’t imagine how hard his life is there every day”
theprint.in
Senior US official
A senior US official who discussed the matter anonymously.
“Resolving the wrongful detentions of US citizens is always a top priority for the president”
theprint.in
Sources
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