Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 24
Families Urge Trump to Seek Release of 2 Americans in Xi Meeting
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 24

Families Urge Trump to Seek Release of 2 Americans in Xi Meeting

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 24

Summary

  • Two families are pressing President Trump to raise the cases of Youlin Chen and U Min Zin when he meets Xi Jinping this week, after both men were designated by the U.S. as wrongfully detained.
  • Chen, a seismologist detained in Beijing in 2024, was accused of spying while visiting relatives; his family says his U.S. government research, including work on detecting North Korean nuclear tests, was lawful.
  • Min Zin, executive director of a Myanmar-focused policy group, was arrested in June after traveling to southwest China for a conference at the Chinese government's invitation.
  • State Department and National Security Council officials told Chen's wife this week that Trump would discuss both men with Xi, while Min Zin's wife told Congress her husband has been held for more than 100 days without access to his Chinese lawyers.

Insights

What hidden geopolitical motives lie behind the sudden espionage charges against US researchers visiting China?
Will a direct presidential appeal be enough to rescue two American scholars from secretive black sites?