A China-born American seismologist has been held without trial in China for nearly two years, his family confirmed Tuesday, releasing new details about a case President Trump raised directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping just two months ago.
Youlin Chen, a Boston resident, was detained by Chinese state security agents in November 2024 during a personal trip to visit his parents in Beijing. He has been charged with espionage. As of Tuesday, his wife, Yufang Rong, said she has not been able to speak with her husband in over 600 days.
“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, and reported by the Associated Press via ABC News.
Chen is the only U.S. citizen the State Department has designated as wrongfully detained in China. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made that formal designation in March. The designation elevates a case to high diplomatic priority and signals that the U.S. government views the detention as politically motivated.
Chen worked as a government contractor for the State Department and the Air Force Research Lab. His work involved collaboration with Chinese colleagues analyzing seismological data. Global Reach said his arrest appears to be “an effort by Chinese officials to learn about the techniques the U.S. uses to detect nuclear tests using seismic data.”
Trump raised Chen’s case during his meeting with Xi in Beijing in May. Despite that direct intervention, China has shown no signs of releasing him. The family decided to speak out now because Chinese officials do not appear to be acting on whatever commitment Xi made, said Eric Lebson, a Global Reach adviser to the family.
U.S. Embassy personnel have been permitted to visit Chen several times but are barred from discussing the details of his case with him.
Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, said Tuesday: “President Trump has been clear that he wants every American detained abroad to return home, and he has reunited over 106 individuals with their families since taking office this term.”
Xi is expected to visit Washington in September. Lebson said Chen’s case could “figure prominently” in those talks if China does not act before then.
