Kathmandu— China has rejected a United States claim that it is wrongfully detaining Min Zin, a scholar specializing in Myanmar. The analyst was arrested on June 3rd after being invited by the Chinese government to attend an academic conference in Yunnan province. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Zin is suspected of activities endangering national security and violating Chinese law, a designation which comes as both countries attempt to improve relations ahead of planned high-level meetings.

US Designates Detention as Wrongful

The US Department of State designated Min Zin’s detainment as wrongful on Thursday, triggering a requirement for Washington to prioritize securing his release. The move underscores the growing concern within the Biden administration regarding the detention of American citizens in China. A statement from the State Department affirmed that “the safety and security of US citizens is the State Department’s top priority,” adding they would continue advocating for Zin's release, as well as those arbitrarily detained or exit-banned in China.

China Cites National Security Concerns

A spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the detention, asserting that “China is a country governed by the rule of law, and there is no such thing as so-called wrongful detention.” The ministry maintains that Min Zin is suspected of engaging in activities that threaten China's national security. This justification echoes similar explanations provided by Beijing in other cases involving detained foreign nationals.

Broader US-China Tensions

The disagreement over Min Zin’s detention adds another layer to the complex relationship between Washington and Beijing, which is already strained by disputes over trade, the Middle East, and other issues. The incident occurs weeks before a planned visit to the White House by President Xi Jinping on September 24th, following a May summit with President Donald Trump in Beijing. This timing suggests that the detention could further complicate efforts to improve bilateral ties.

Min Zin’s Background and Research

Min Zin is the founder of the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar, a think tank focused on researching Myanmar's political landscape, resources, and economy, particularly in relation to the civil war that erupted after the 2021 military coup. China shares a border with Myanmar and has significant influence in the region, where it is accused of supporting armed groups aligned with its interests. Prior to his arrest, Zin had been residing in Thailand and had spent time in both the US and Myanmar.

Min Zin is the second US citizen to be designated as wrongfully detained in China; Youlin Chen, a Chinese American seismologist arrested in 2024, was the first.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.