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5h ago

U.S. Designates Scholar Min Zin Wrongfully Detained by China

The step makes his case a top diplomatic priority and signals increased U.S. pressure on Beijing ahead of President Xi Jinping’s planned September White House visit.

Min Zin (right), an American wrongfully detained in China, is seen in this undated handout photograph.
Min Zin (right), an American classified as wrongfully detained in China, is seen in this undated handout photograph.
U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken March 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Overview

  • Min Zin was detained inside a Kunming airport after traveling to Yunnan on a government invitation, and U.S. officials say he has been held under interrogation and in isolation since June 3.
  • On Thursday the State Department formally reviewed his case and Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated him as wrongfully detained, elevating efforts to secure his release.
  • China has publicly accused Min Zin of spying and endangering national security, while U.S. officials and rights groups call the detention arbitrary and have urged Beijing to free him.
  • The wrongfully detained designation directs more diplomatic attention and public pressure toward securing a release but does not guarantee that China will free him.
  • Advocates say the case fits a wider pattern of detentions that threatens foreign academics and could become a negotiating point when Xi visits the United States; Min Zin is the second academic recently so designated after Youlin Chen.