U.S. Officials Visit Detained Scholar; New China Travel Warning Issued

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[People News] The U.S. State Department informed Voice of America (VOA) on Wednesday (June 17) that U.S. consular officials have visited U Min Zin, an American scholar of Burmese descent, who was detained by the Chinese Communist Party last week on suspicion of espionage. The State Department stated that it is currently in communication with Chinese officials regarding the U Min Zin case. The research institution where U Min Zin works has also called for his immediate release. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy and consulates in China issued a fourth travel warning within five days, alerting American citizens to the risks of traveling to China.

In response to VOA's request for comment via email on Wednesday (June 17), the U.S. State Department provided the latest updates on the U Min Zin case. The State Department reiterated that "the safety and security of U.S. citizens is a top priority." Additionally, it confirmed that U Min Zin was detained while attending an academic conference in China.

"U.S. citizen U Min Zin was detained while traveling in Yunnan Province, China; it is understood that he traveled to Kunming City, Yunnan Province, on June 3 to attend an academic conference hosted by the authorities, where he was invited to speak," the State Department wrote in an email to VOA. The State Department also stated, "U.S. consular officials have visited him, and we are maintaining communication with Chinese officials while providing all appropriate consular assistance."

The institution led by U Min Zin has issued a statement urging the Chinese Communist Party to release him unconditionally.

The Institute for Strategy and Policy–Myanmar, led by Minxin (Mǐn xīn), issued a statement to Voice of America on Wednesday, confirming that Minxin was detained while en route to Kunming, China, to participate in an academic seminar. The statement expressed deep concern regarding the "improper detention" of their Executive Director Minxin by the People's Republic of China and urged the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to "immediately and unconditionally release Minxin." 

On June 12, the CCP's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Minxin was detained by authorities on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities that threaten China's national security. Minxin is the founder of the Institute for Strategy and Policy–Myanmar. According to LinkedIn, he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2016 with a master's degree in political science and government, and has served as the Executive Director of the Institute since then. 

In its statement, the Institute for Strategy and Policy–Myanmar described itself as a non-partisan, non-governmental independent think tank committed to advocating for democratic leadership and public engagement in public affairs. Its objectives include promoting Myanmar's democratic process and strengthening civil society. 

The statement rejected and condemned "any baseless accusations." It asserted: "The Institute for Strategy and Policy–Myanmar has consistently upheld its mission to conduct independent open-source research and provide relevant analysis to serve the public interest and enhance understanding of Myanmar's political, social, and economic development."

The statement highlights that academic and research institutions like the 'Myanmar Institute of Strategic and Policy Studies' are essential for operating without intimidation.

According to its official website, the 'Myanmar Institute of Strategic and Policy Studies' is currently engaged in three research projects, one of which focuses on China. By 2024, the China research project has successfully published two rounds of findings from the 'China Survey.'

The U.S. Embassy in China has issued another warning regarding the risks associated with traveling to China.

On Wednesday (June 17), the U.S. Embassy in China reiterated its warning on the social media platform X, in both Chinese and English, alerting American citizens to the dangers of traveling to China. This latest advisory states that if American citizens are arrested or detained in China, 'they should immediately request that the relevant authorities notify the U.S. Embassy or the nearest consulate.'

The Embassy cautions: 'U.S. consular officials may be the only visitors allowed to see you. Bail requests are seldom approved. Pre-trial detention can extend for months or even years.'

This marks the fourth warning issued by the U.S. Embassy in China within just five days. Last Saturday (June 13), the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China issued an unusual three warnings in a single day, specifically cautioning American citizens about the risks of traveling to China, particularly those of Chinese descent.

The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in China continue to maintain a Level 2 travel advisory, urging Americans to 'exercise increased caution' when traveling to China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans.

Wang Weizheng, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Adelphi University in the United States, told Voice of America on June 16 that he finds the embassy's multiple warnings to be unusual and believes they are directly related to the detention of Min Xin.

On June 15, Sun Yun, a senior researcher and director of the China Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, remarked to Voice of America that it is relatively rare, and even unprecedented, for the Chinese Communist Party to detain American scholars under the pretext of national security.

Sun Yun further noted that the Min Xin case 'undoubtedly introduces new uncertainties into China-U.S. relations.'
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