U.S. Seismologist Held in China Nearly Two Years on Espionage Charge

A U.S. seismologist born in China has been held without trial in China for nearly two years on an espionage charge, an advocacy group advising his family said Tuesday. Youlin Chen of Boston was detained in November 2024 during a personal trip to visit his parents.

He has been charged with espionage, Global Reach said. Chen has worked as a U.S. government contractor for the State Department and Air Force Research Lab. Much of his work involved collaborating with Chinese colleagues to analyze seismological data.

“I have not been able to speak with my husband for over 600 days and am concerned for his health and well-being,” Yufang Rong, Chen’s wife, said in a statement released by Global Reach. The family broke its silence the week of July 14 after seeing no sign from the Chinese government that it was planning to release Chen.

Trump raised Chen’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing on May 15. Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen a wrongful detainee in March. “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,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said.

Rong said Trump has taken a personal interest and has already freed 106 people. Embassy personnel have been allowed to visit Chen several times but are not allowed to discuss the case with him. If not resolved, Chen’s case could figure prominently when Xi is expected to meet Trump in Washington in September, said Eric Lebson, a Global Reach adviser to Chen’s relatives.

The Biden administration in 2024 secured the release of three wrongfully detained Americans from China.