China has detained Min Zin, a U.S. scholar who heads a think tank focused on Myanmar, on suspicion of espionage. Beijing’s government announced the arrest Thursday, June 12, saying Min Zin was held for allegedly “engaging in espionage and endangering Chinese national security.”
Min Zin has a documented history of activism tied to Myanmar — a country that shares a long border with China and has remained in political turmoil since the military coup of 2021. His work at the helm of a Myanmar-focused research organization put him squarely at the intersection of two governments with complicated, often tense relationships with Washington.
China’s espionage laws are broadly written, and foreign nationals — including academics and researchers — have been swept up under them before. The charges against Min Zin haven’t been tested in any public proceeding, and Beijing hasn’t detailed what specific conduct triggered the arrest.
The U.S. State Department didn’t immediately respond to NPR’s request for comment on the case. Whether Min Zin has access to legal counsel or consular services wasn’t confirmed as of Thursday afternoon.
Originally reported by NPR. Read the original report.
