U.S. Labels Academic Min Zin Wrongfully Detained By China
The State Department designated U.S. citizen Min Zin as wrongfully detained by China on Thursday, August 20, 2026.[1] Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson said Secretary Marco Rubio made the designation and publicly urged Beijing to release arbitrarily detained or exit-banned Americans.[1]
Min Zin is the second American academic the U.S. has recently designated as wrongfully detained, following Dr. Youlin Chen.[1] ISP-Myanmar says Min Zin was detained June 3, 2026, while en route to an academic workshop in Kunming and called for his immediate and unconditional release.[1]
China announced Min Zin's arrest in June 2026 on espionage and national security-suspicion charges but has not provided further details.[1]
U.S. officials have not released additional public information about evidence or next steps in the case.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, August 20, 2026, the State Department designated U.S. citizen Min Zin as wrongfully detained by China.
- Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson said Secretary Marco Rubio made the designation and publicly urged Beijing to release arbitrarily detained or exit-banned Americans.
- China announced Min Zin’s arrest in June 2026 on espionage and national security-suspicion charges but has not provided further details.
- ISP-Myanmar says Min Zin was detained June 3, 2026, en route to an academic workshop in Kunming and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
- Min Zin is the second American academic recently designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S., after Dr. Youlin Chen.
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