China Defends Detention of Myanmar Scholar Amid US Diplomatic Friction

China has firmly rejected Washington's designation that it has wrongfully detained a United States citizen. Speaking on Friday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that Myanmar scholar Min Zin, who has been held since early June, poses a threat to national security, a stance that complicates ongoing efforts by Beijing and Washington to mend ties.

“China is a country governed by the rule of law, and there is no such thing as so-called wrongful detention,” stated a spokesman regarding the case of Min Zin, who directs a research think tank focused on Myanmar. The spokesman further noted that the individual in question is suspected of participating in activities that compromise China’s national security and breach local laws.

The US Department of State officially classified Min Zin’s detention as wrongful on Thursday, a step that obligates Washington to prioritize his release. This development unfolds just weeks ahead of an anticipated visit to the White House by President Xi Jinping, scheduled for September 24 following President Donald Trump’s May summit in Beijing. Both nations continue to grapple with major disagreements regarding trade and conflicts in the Middle East.

According to the State Department, Min Zin had visited Yunnan, China on June 3 to participate in an academic conference after receiving an invitation from the Chinese government. Reaffirming its commitment, the department stated that the safety and security of US citizens remain its highest priority, vowing to persistently advocate for Min Zin and others arbitrarily detained or subjected to exit bans in China.

Min Zin helped found the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar, an organization analyzing the political, economic, and resource dynamics of the civil war in Myanmar triggered by the 2021 military coup. China shares a border with Myanmar, maintains significant influence in the region, and faces accusations of supporting armed groups that serve its strategic interests. Beijing backs Myanmar’s military administration, which organized contentious elections last year that barred major opposition factions, including the party of ousted leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Prior to his arrest, Min Zin resided in Thailand while dividing his time between the US and Myanmar. He marks the second US citizen classified as wrongfully detained in China, following Youlin Chen, a Chinese American seismologist from Boston arrested by Chinese authorities in 2024. Yufang Rong, the wife of Chen, noted that this designation indicates the Trump administration views the freedom of these detainees as a top priority.