Youlin Chen espionage case: US scientist detained in China for nearly 2 years, wife says no contact for 600 days; group links arrest to US nuclear test detection

Youlin Chen detained in China: A China-born American seismologist has been detained in China for nearly two years without a trial, reports news agency AP. Amid the row, his family has now spoken publicly for the first time in hopes of securing his release.

The Youlin Chen espionage case has gained fresh attention after an advocacy group revealed that US President Donald Trump personally raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Beijing earlier this year. The Youlin Chen China detention case comes just weeks before Xi is expected to visit the United States, where the issue could once again become part of high-level diplomatic discussions.

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Family speaks out after more than 600 days

Chen's wife, Yufang Rong, said the family had remained silent for months, hoping Chinese authorities would release him. With no sign of progress, they have now decided to go public.

"I have not been able to speak with my husband for over 600 days and am concerned for his health and well-being," Rong said in a statement released by Global Reach, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that has been assisting the family.

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"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," she added.

The Youlin Chen China detention case is currently the only case in China that the US State Department has officially classified as a wrongful detention involving an American citizen.

What is the Youlin Chen espionage case?

According to Global Reach, the Youlin Chen espionage case began in November 2024, when Chen traveled to Beijing on a personal visit to see his elderly parents.

During the trip, Chinese state security agents detained him and later charged him with espionage. Nearly two years later, Chen has still not gone on trial.

Global Reach said Chen has spent much of his career working as a US government contractor, including projects for the State Department and the Air Force Research Laboratory. His work primarily focused on seismology and scientific collaboration with Chinese researchers.

Chen’s arrest is “likely an effort by Chinese officials to learn about the techniques the U.S. uses to detect nuclear tests using seismic data,” the group said.

Why officials believe Chen was targeted

According to Global Reach, Chen's scientific background may have played a role in his arrest.

According to the advocacy group, his work involved analyzing seismic data alongside Chinese colleagues. The organization believes the arrest is "likely an effort by Chinese officials to learn about the techniques the US uses to detect nuclear tests using seismic data."

The Youlin Chen espionage case has therefore become more than an individual legal matter, with analysts viewing it as another example of growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over national security and intelligence concerns.

US government has designated Chen as wrongfully detained

The US State Department officially designated Chen as a wrongful detainee in March, a status reserved for Americans whom the US government believes are being held unjustly overseas.

Such a designation places the case among Washington's highest diplomatic priorities and often leads to intensified negotiations with the foreign government involved.

According to Global Reach, US Embassy officials have been permitted to visit Chen several times. However, they have reportedly not been allowed to discuss details of his legal case during those visits.

White House says Trump wants detained Americans home

The White House said President Donald Trump remains committed to securing the release of Americans detained overseas.

"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.

The Youlin Chen China detention case was reportedly discussed when Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing in May.

Could the case affect the next Xi-Trump meeting?

According to Eric Lebson, a Global Reach adviser assisting Chen's family, the case could become a major topic when Xi is expected to meet Trump in Washington later this year.

Lebson said the family chose to speak publicly now because they have seen no indication that Chinese authorities intend to release Chen despite discussions between the two presidents.

With no trial date announced and nearly two years having passed since his detention, the Youlin Chen espionage case continues to draw international attention as Washington presses Beijing for his release.

(With AP inputs)