Key facts
- American seismologist Youlin Chen has been detained in China for nearly two years.
- Chen is accused of spying and faces trial.
- The U.S. State Department has designated Chen as "wrongfully detained."
- Chen's research on North Korean nuclear test seismic signatures was funded by the U.S. State Department and Air Force Research Laboratory.
- Chen was arrested in November 2024.
- He was charged with espionage in May 2025.
A China-born American seismologist, Youlin Chen, has been detained in China for nearly two years on spying charges, according to his wife, advocacy groups, and U.S. officials. Chen, who became a U.S. citizen and resides in Boston, has conducted U.S.-funded research on detecting North Korean nuclear tests. His wife, Yufang Rong, stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen as "wrongfully detained" in March, making his release a high priority for the U.S. government. President Donald Trump reportedly raised Chen's detention with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing in May, with Xi promising to investigate. However, family representatives noted a lack of progress, prompting them to speak out. Chen was detained in November 2024 by state security agents during a personal trip and subsequently charged with espionage. U.S. Embassy personnel have visited Chen, but discussions about the case are restricted.