China detains US scientist who studied North Korea nuclear tests
A Chinese-born American seismologist who specialises in monitoring nuclear tests has been detained in China for nearly two years on espionage charges, according to his family.
Chen Youlin, 54, was arrested in November 2024 while visiting relatives in Beijing, advocacy organisation Global Reach said. His family decided to make the case public after seeing no indication that Chinese authorities intended to release him.
Chen’s wife, Rong Yufang, who is also a seismologist, rejected the allegations, describing them as false and incompatible with the open and collaborative nature of her husband’s research.
She said Chen had worked closely with Chinese scientists throughout his career and had always conducted his research transparently.
Much of Chen’s published work focuses on North Korea’s nuclear programme and underground weapons tests. It remains unclear whether any of his research involved China’s own nuclear activities.
US intelligence agencies have alleged that China is expanding its nuclear arsenal and has conducted undisclosed nuclear tests, claims Beijing has consistently denied.
Responding to questions about Chen’s detention on Tuesday, China’s Foreign Ministry said its judicial authorities handle cases according to the law and dismissed suggestions that anyone had been wrongfully detained.
Under Chinese law, espionage convictions can carry penalties ranging from lengthy prison sentences to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Chen is currently the only American officially designated by the United States as being wrongfully detained in China.
In a statement released through Global Reach, Rong said she had been unable to speak with her husband for more than 600 days and expressed concern about his health and wellbeing.
She also told Reuters that Chinese authorities had questioned Chen more than 100 times about his work and prevented him from meeting a lawyer during the first 13 months of his detention.
Born in China, Chen became a US citizen in 2011 and lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
His research specialises in analysing seismic data to detect nuclear explosions, and he has participated in several projects funded by the US government.
Rong maintained that all of Chen’s collaborations with Chinese researchers were conducted openly and in line with scientific norms.
She described his work as an example of the type of academic cooperation that China has publicly encouraged.
Among his published research was a 2020 study that analysed seismic data collected across Asia, including China, to improve techniques for monitoring and estimating the strength of nuclear tests.
Global Reach said some US officials suspect Chen’s arrest may be linked to concerns over China’s alleged nuclear testing activities in violation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
The organisation argued that Chen’s expertise in seismic monitoring could allow Chinese authorities to gain insights into US methods of detecting nuclear tests and potentially develop ways to evade future monitoring.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty prohibits all nuclear explosions, although several nuclear-capable countries, including both the United States and China, have not formally ratified it despite observing voluntary testing moratoriums.
During Donald Trump’s first term in office, the US accused China of carrying out a covert underground nuclear test at the Lop Nur test site in northwestern China. Beijing denied the allegation, calling it politically motivated and without evidence.
The Foley Foundation, another US advocacy group supporting detained Americans abroad, said Chen’s medical condition is an additional concern, noting that he suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The organisation warned that he requires consistent medical treatment that may not be available while in detention.
US Senator Edward Markey said Chen’s detention has damaged scientific cooperation between the United States and China and could discourage future academic collaboration.
He expressed hope that increased international attention would encourage Chinese authorities to release Chen.
The disclosure of Chen’s case comes a month after China confirmed the arrest of another American academic, Min Zin, the head of a think tank focused on Myanmar.
Chinese authorities have accused Min Zin of espionage and activities that threaten the country’s national security.
Source: BBC
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