WASHINGTON — The family of an American seismologist who has been held in China for close to two years without facing trial has decided to speak out, according to a Washington-based advocacy group that has been working with them.
Youlin Chen, who lives in Boston and was born in China, was taken into custody by Chinese state security agents in November 2023 while on a personal trip to visit his parents in Beijing. He has since been charged with espionage, according to Global Reach, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing wrongfully detained Americans back home.
The family came forward this week after seeing no indication that Chinese authorities planned to free Chen — even following a meeting in Beijing in May where President Donald Trump raised Chen’s case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Global Reach said.
Chen’s wife, Yufang Rong, released a statement through the organization expressing deep concern for her husband. “I have not been able to speak with my husband for over 600 days and am concerned for his health and well-being,” she said.
Rong also expressed confidence that the current administration would secure her husband’s release. “President Trump has taken a personal interest in freeing Youlin. Since taking office, he has already freed 106 people and I know that he and his team will bring Youlin home to us,” she said.
Global Reach noted that Chen is the only American citizen that the State Department has officially designated as wrongfully detained in China. That classification places his case among the highest diplomatic priorities and can trigger significant efforts to secure a detainee’s freedom. The previous administration secured the release of three wrongfully detained Americans from China in 2024.
A White House spokesperson responded to questions about Chen’s situation, saying: “President Trump has been clear that he wants every American detained abroad to return home, and he has reunited over 100 individuals with their families since taking office this term.”
Eric Lebson, a Global Reach adviser working with Chen’s family, said the case could “figure prominently” in a potential meeting between Trump and Xi expected to take place in Washington in September. He said the family chose to speak publicly now because Chinese officials do not appear to be following through on any commitment Xi may have made to Trump when the president raised the matter in May.
Chen had worked as a contractor for the U.S. government, including for the State Department and the Air Force Research Lab. Much of his work involved partnering with Chinese colleagues to study seismological data. Global Reach suggested his arrest is “likely an effort by Chinese officials to learn about the techniques the U.S. uses to detect nuclear tests using seismic data.”
U.S. Embassy staff have been permitted to visit Chen on several occasions, but they are not allowed to discuss the details of his case with him, according to Global Reach. Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally designated Chen as a wrongful detainee in March. The State Department had not responded to a request for comment at the time of this report.
