President Trump Advocates for Release of Scientist Youlin Chen

President Trump has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to release Youlin Chen, an American seismologist detained in China, according to Chen’s family. Dr. Chen’s research focused on the detection of North Korean nuclear tests.

Youlin Chen, born in China, encountered detention by Chinese security officials at a Beijing airport in November 2024. He was scheduled to return to Boston at the time. His case illustrates the potential risks for scientists involved in work considered sensitive by Chinese authorities.

Dr. Chen, who performed contract research for the U.S. government on nuclear tests in North Korea, has been held for nearly two years under espionage charges, as claimed by his family and supporters. They made his situation public, aiming to pressure China for his release while Beijing and Washington attempt to uphold a precarious trade agreement.

His family and supporters refute the spying accusation, attributing it possibly to his research linked with the U.S. government. Dr. Chen’s detention signifies the dangers faced by scientists who could be perceived as threats by China, particularly those visiting for professional or personal reasons.

Under President Xi Jinping, China’s state security apparatus has intensified efforts to identify individuals suspected of espionage. In a related incident, Chinese authorities detained an American scholar researching Myanmar politics last month, accusing him of spying.

Dr. Chen’s wife, Yufang Rong, stated that President Trump addressed her husband’s situation during a meeting with Mr. Xi in May in Beijing. She expressed hope that Mr. Trump would bring it up again at the summit in Washington this September.

Ms. Rong conveyed optimism that President Xi would acknowledge a mistake in Dr. Chen’s arrest and advocate for his return to the U.S. She emphasized this in her written responses.