A SWEET 6-YEAR-OLD BOY HAS LOST HIS LIFE DURING A DAY AT THE BEACH WHEN A PIECE OF DRIFTWOOD HIT HIM ON THE HEAD.(PHOTO).
China detains US seismologist for nearly two years without trial as family seeks release before Xi visit
A China-born American seismologist has been detained in China for nearly two years without trial, with his family now publicly calling for his release as diplomatic efforts continue over his case.
Youlin Chen, a Boston resident and U.S. citizen, was detained by Chinese state security officials in November 2024 while visiting his parents in Beijing and has since been charged with espionage, according to an organization assisting his family.
Chen’s wife, Yufang Rong, said she has not spoken with him in more than 600 days and expressed concerns about his health and well-being. She said President Donald Trump has taken an interest in the case and she hopes his administration can help bring Chen home.
Chen has been classified by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained, a designation reserved for cases considered a priority for diplomatic intervention. He is currently the only American citizen identified by the State Department as wrongfully detained in China.
The case could become a major issue ahead of an expected meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington later this year. Family advisers said they decided to speak publicly after seeing no indication that Chinese officials planned to release Chen despite the issue being raised during a previous meeting between the two leaders.
Chen, a seismologist who has worked as a U.S. government contractor for agencies including the State Department and Air Force Research Laboratory, has conducted research involving seismic data analysis with Chinese colleagues. Advocates believe his arrest may be connected to concerns over technology used by the United States to detect nuclear tests.
U.S. Embassy officials have been allowed to visit Chen multiple times but have not been permitted to discuss details of his case with him, according to his advocates.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen as a wrongful detainee earlier this year. The State Department has not provided additional details about the ongoing case.
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