U.S. designates Min Zin, American scholar held by China, as wrongfully detained

The U.S. has designated Myanmar scholar and U.S. citizen Min Zin as wrongfully detained after his arrest by Chinese authorities in June, a senior State Department official told Reuters, a move that makes securing his release a top U.S. priority.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. has designated Myanmar scholar and U.S. citizen Min Zin as wrongfully detained after his arrest by Chinese authorities in June, a senior State Department official told Reuters, a move that makes securing his release a top U.S. priority.

The designation for Min Zin, who is accused of endangering Chinese national security, comes just weeks before President Donald Trump is scheduled to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House.

Rights groups have urged the U.S. to press China for the release of Min Zin, who leads a think tank focused on Myanmar, ahead of Xi’s anticipated Sept. 24 visit.

“U.S. citizen Min Zin has been detained by Chinese security services on undefined charges since June 3. For nearly 11 weeks, he has been subjected to repeated interrogations, isolation and detention conditions,” the official said Thursday.

“After careful review of Min Zin’s case, the secretary of state has decided to designate him as wrongfully detained,” the official said, referring to Marco Rubio.