China Says It Has Not Wrongfully Detained American Scientist Youlin Chen

China said on Tuesday that it has not wrongfully held an American scientist named Youlin Chen. Chen is 54 years old and was born in China, but he is a U.S. citizen who studies earthquakes. He was arrested at an airport in Beijing in November 2024 and has been held there for nearly two years. China says it is following its own laws in handling his case.

The Reuters news agency reported that Chen had done work paid for by the U.S. government. His job involved detecting nuclear tests carried out by North Korea. He was arrested on November 5, 2024, at Beijing Capital International Airport. He was getting ready to board a flight back to his home in Boston when officers stopped him.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio officially called Chen 'wrongfully detained' in March and made his release a top priority. However, Chen's wife, Yufang Rong, told Reuters that the Trump administration had kept the case quiet at first. Officials hoped that private, high-level talks between leaders might help free him. Those talks did not work, and Chen remains in custody.

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke about the case at a news briefing on Tuesday. He said China follows the rule of law and that there is 'no instance of wrongful detention.' The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment on Chen's case. The two governments appear to disagree strongly on the matter.

Chen's case became public after another American was arrested in China. Min Zin is a U.S. scholar who was attending a meeting in the city of Kunming when he was arrested at an airport. Like Chen, he has been accused of spying. A group called the Foley Foundation says at least 12 American citizens are wrongfully being held in China right now.

Rong told Reuters that she fears China will find her husband guilty of spying, which is called espionage. Espionage is a very serious crime in China and can lead to life in prison or even the death penalty. She said, 'I believe they will convict him no matter what and the trial will be behind closed doors.' She is worried he will not get a fair hearing.

Rong also shared that her husband has suffered greatly while in detention. She says he was questioned by officials more than 100 times and was not allowed to speak with a lawyer for 13 months. U.S. embassy officials visited him several times, but Chinese officials were always present. She also says he has lost 30 to 40 pounds and is not getting enough food or proper medical care.

President Trump is expected to bring up both Chen's and Min Zin's cases when Chinese leader Xi Jinping visits Washington in September. Many people are watching to see if talks between the two leaders can help bring these Americans home. Human rights groups say these cases show how important it is for the U.S. to stand up for its citizens abroad.