US Seismologist Detained in China for Two Years Without Trial, Family Alleges

A China-born American seismologist, Youlin Chen of Boston, has been detained in China without trial for nearly two years, an advocacy group advising his family revealed on Tuesday. This revelation comes a couple of months before Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the U.S. Chen's relatives broke their silence this week, prompted by the absence of any indication from the Chinese government regarding his release, even after President Donald Trump brought up the case during a meeting with Xi in Beijing in May, according to Global Reach, a Washington-based nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting Americans wrongfully detained abroad.

Youlin Chen's wife, Yufang Rong, expressed her profound concern in a statement released by Global Reach, which has been assisting the family since Chen's detention. "I have not been able to speak with my husband for over 600 days and am concerned for his health and well-being," she stated. Rong also expressed hope, noting, "President Trump has taken a personal interest in freeing Youlin. Since taking office, he has already freed 106 people and I know that he and his team will bring Youlin home to us."

Global Reach has identified Chen as the sole U.S. citizen designated by the State Department as wrongfully detained in China. This designation underscores the high priority the U.S. government places on such cases, often leading to intensive diplomatic efforts for release. In 2024, the Biden administration secured the release of three wrongfully detained Americans from China. Separately, a White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, affirmed President Trump's commitment, stating, "President Trump has been clear that he wants every American detained abroad to return home, and he has reunited over 100 individuals with their families since taking office this term.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen as a wrongful detainee in March.

The U.S. government has directly engaged Chinese officials on Chen's case, advocating for his immediate release, as confirmed by the State Department on Tuesday. Reuters had previously reported on his detention. In response, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, stated on Tuesday that China does not have "wrongful detention" and that its judicial agencies handle cases in accordance with the law.

The unresolved nature of Chen's case could become a prominent topic during the anticipated meeting between President Xi and President Trump in Washington in September, according to Eric Lebson, a Global Reach adviser to Chen’s family. The family's decision to go public now stems from the apparent lack of action by Chinese officials on commitments Xi reportedly made to Trump after the U.S. president raised the detention issue in May.

Chen, a seismologist, was detained in November 2024 by state security agents during a personal trip to visit his parents in Beijing. He has since been charged with espionage. His work as a U.S. government contractor for the State Department and Air Force Research Lab primarily involved collaborating with Chinese colleagues on seismological data analysis. Global Reach suggests that Chen's arrest is "likely an effort by Chinese officials to learn about the techniques the U.S. uses to detect nuclear tests using seismic data." While U.S. embassy personnel have been permitted to visit Chen several times, they are not allowed to discuss the specifics of his case with him.

Senator Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts and one of Chen's constituents, publicly pledged on Tuesday to "do everything within my power to advocate for" his immediate release. Markey expressed his hope that increased attention on Chen's "unjust detention will force the Chinese government to do the right thing and release Dr. Chen and allow him to return to his family in Massachusetts."