China charges US seismologist who studied North Korea's nuclear tests with espionage

A Chinese-born American seismologist who carried out US-funded research on detecting North Korean nuclear tests has been detained in China for nearly two years and will also face trial on espionage charges.The case of Youlin Chen, 54, has emerged as another point of tension in US-China relations as President Donald Trump seeks to stabilise ties with Beijing following last year's trade disputes.Chen, a US citizen since 2011 who lives in Boston, was designated as "wrongfully detained" by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 19, making his release a top US priority, Reuters cited. He was arrested by Chinese state security officers at Beijing International Airport on November 5, 2024, as he prepared to return to Boston after visiting family and delivering lectures at two universities.His wife said he initially endured harsh detention conditions, including being forced to sit for long periods without reading, exercising or receiving proper medical care for diabetes and other health conditions."I believe they will convict him no matter what and the trial will be behind closed doors," she said.Trump reportedly raised case with Xi JinpingRong said the White House and the State Department informed her that Trump raised her husband's detention with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing in May, and Xi promised to look into the matter. However, she said no progress has been made.Chen is currently the only American in China officially designated by the US government as "wrongfully detained," according to his wife and hostage advocates.His research, funded by the US State Department and the US Air Force Research Laboratory, focused on distinguishing underground nuclear explosions from earthquakes using publicly available seismic data. The work was conducted with Chinese academics and was approved for public release.Catch the latest world news and top headlines. Download the TOI App.