Family goes public over Chinese American seismologist's detention — says no trial after 600 days
TL;DR
Youlin Chen's family says he has been held in China for 600+ days; Beijing rejects the wrongful-detention label.
The family of Chinese American seismologist Youlin Chen said publicly for the first time that Chinese state security officers detained him in Beijing in November 2024 and that he has remained without trial for more than 600 days. The family disclosed the case this week through Global Reach, a nonprofit assisting Americans detained abroad. China has not published a detention date or length of custody.
His wife, Yufang Rong, said she has not spoken with Chen for more than 600 days and is concerned about his health. Global Reach said he was arrested while visiting his parents and faces an espionage charge. US Embassy personnel have visited him several times but were not allowed to discuss the case. No Chinese court has published the allegations, evidence or trial date.
Chen worked on US State Department and Air Force Research Laboratory contracts, including seismic-data analysis with Chinese colleagues. Global Reach said it believes his detention concerns US techniques for detecting nuclear tests through seismic data. That is the nonprofit's account; Chinese judicial authorities have not released an account of the case.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen as wrongfully detained in March 2026. The State Department said it has raised the case with Chinese officials and requested his release. The White House said the Trump administration is working on the case. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the wrongful-detention description was incorrect and that judicial authorities handle cases according to law.
via AP / NBC News
His wife, Yufang Rong, said she has not spoken with Chen for more than 600 days and is concerned about his health. Global Reach said he was arrested while visiting his parents and faces an espionage charge. US Embassy personnel have visited him several times but were not allowed to discuss the case. No Chinese court has published the allegations, evidence or trial date.
Chen worked on US State Department and Air Force Research Laboratory contracts, including seismic-data analysis with Chinese colleagues. Global Reach said it believes his detention concerns US techniques for detecting nuclear tests through seismic data. That is the nonprofit's account; Chinese judicial authorities have not released an account of the case.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen as wrongfully detained in March 2026. The State Department said it has raised the case with Chinese officials and requested his release. The White House said the Trump administration is working on the case. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the wrongful-detention description was incorrect and that judicial authorities handle cases according to law.
via AP / NBC News
