China to Try American Seismologist Youlin Chen for Espionage

China is preparing to stand trial in Beijing for Youlin Chen, a 54-year-old American seismologist and former Chinese citizen detained at a Beijing airport in November 2024. Chen, a U.S. government contractor who resides in Boston, faces espionage charges related to his research on seismic signatures of North Korean nuclear weapons tests. His work was funded by the United States Department of State and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally designated Chen as wrongfully detained on March 19, 2026. President Donald Trump raised the case with President Xi Jinping during a May summit in Beijing, where Xi assured him he would look into the matter. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Chen remains imprisoned. His wife, Yufang Rong, reports that he has been interrogated over 100 times and has suffered significant health decline due to poor conditions.

The non-profit Global Reach suggests the detention may be an attempt by Chinese officials to acquire U.S. techniques for detecting nuclear tests, potentially linked to an alleged 2020 underground nuclear test by China. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected claims of wrongful detention, asserting that the case is handled according to the rule of law. A conviction for espionage in China can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty. The case is expected to be a primary topic during President Xi's planned visit to Washington in September.