U.S. Designates American Scholar as Wrongfully Detained in China

The U.S. State Department has designated Min Zin, an American scholar detained in China, as wrongfully held. This decision follows his detention on June 3 in Yunnan, where he traveled for an academic conference at the invitation of the Chinese government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation, stating that the safety and security of U.S. citizens is the State Department’s top priority. Zin is one of two U.S. citizens currently considered wrongfully detained in China, alongside Dr. Youlin Chen, a Chinese-born American seismologist. Zin has reportedly been interrogated and held in isolation for nearly 11 weeks. Chinese authorities have indicated that he is under investigation for allegedly endangering national security. The U.S. designation may increase government efforts to secure Zin’s release, particularly ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the White House on September 24.