The wife of ethnic Chinese American seismologist Chen Youlin, who has been detained in China for nearly two years, stated that the White House has assured her Trump will demand her husband's release during his meeting with Xi Jinping this week.
American seismologist Chen Youlin, detained in China, has been designated by the U.S. as "wrongfully detained." The White House stated that resolving cases of detained U.S. citizens has always been a top priority for the president.
The U.S. State Department listed Chen Youlin and Min Zin as wrongfully detained Americans; Chen Youlin was detained in China in November 2024, Min Zin was detained on June 3, 2026, and the latter was added to the list on August 27.
The U.S. State Department said the United States has raised the case of Chen Youlin directly with Chinese officials and called on China to immediately release the seismology scholar, who has been detained for more than 600 days and faces charges of espionage.
Reuters disclosed that Youlin Chen, a Chinese-American seismologist studying North Korea's nuclear tests, has been secretly detained by China for nearly two years and charged with espionage.
Chinese-American seismologist Chen Youlin has been detained by China for more than 600 days over his research on North Korean nuclear tests, has yet to face a formal trial, and faces espionage charges.
The US State Department said it has raised the Chen Youlin case with the Chinese side and called on China to immediately release the Chinese-American seismologist.
During Trump's visit to Beijing in May 2026, he raised Chen Youlin's case with Xi Jinping, but since then there has been no sign of release from the Chinese side, and Chen Youlin remains in custody.
On November 5, 2024, US-based seismologist Chen Youlin was arrested by state security at the Beijing airport as he prepared to return to the United States after visiting family and lecturing. His wife stated that he has already faced over 100 interrogations and is facing trial on fabricated espionage charges.