A China-born American seismologist has been detained in China for nearly two years without a trial, an advocacy group supporting his family announced Tuesday. The family of Youlin Chen, a resident of Boston, revealed the situation after seeing no indication of his release, even after President Donald Trump reportedly raised the case with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May.
Chen’s wife, Yufang Rong, stated through Global Reach, a Washington-based nonprofit advising the family, that she has been unable to speak with her husband for over 600 days and expressed concern for his health. "President Trump has taken a personal interest in freeing Youlin. Since taking office, he has already freed 106 people and I know that he and his team will bring Youlin home to us," Rong said.
Global Reach stated that Chen is the only U.S. citizen the State Department has designated as wrongfully detained in China. This designation prioritizes cases for the U.S. government and can prompt intensive diplomatic efforts for release. The Biden administration secured the release of three Americans from China in 2024.
"President Trump has been clear that he wants every American detained abroad to return home, and he has reunited over 100 individuals with their families since taking office this term," Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, said in response to inquiries about Chen's case.
Eric Lebson, an adviser with Global Reach, suggested that Chen's case could become a significant point of discussion if Xi is expected to meet Trump in Washington in September. The family decided to go public with the information because Chinese officials have not appeared to act on Xi's commitment to Trump following the U.S. president's mention of Chen's detention in May, Lebson explained.
Chen was detained in November 2024 by state security agents while on a personal visit to his parents in Beijing. Global Reach reported that he has been charged with espionage. Chen previously worked as a contractor for the State Department and the Air Force Research Lab, often collaborating with Chinese colleagues on seismological data analysis. The group indicated that Chen's arrest is likely an attempt by Chinese officials to understand U.S. methods for detecting nuclear tests using seismic data.
U.S. Embassy personnel have visited Chen on several occasions but are reportedly not permitted to discuss his case with him, according to Global Reach. Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen as a wrongful detainee in March. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.