China Arrests US Researcher Suspected of Spying

Beijing. China has stated that it has arrested a American researcher on suspicion of spying.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that the person was taken into custody on charges of 'spying' and 'endangering national security'.

The arrested person has been identified as Min Jin, founder of the think tank 'Institute for Strategy and Policy–Myanmar (ISP–M)', which studies Myanmar's politics, resources, and conflict. US media reported that he, holding dual US and Myanmar citizenship, was taken into custody in early June.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that Min Jin is undergoing criminal investigation and that the US Consulate General in Guangzhou has been informed of his arrest.

The arrest of the researcher studying Myanmar, which has been embroiled in civil war since the 2021 military 'coup', comes amid efforts to improve China-US relations. Meanwhile, it has been announced that Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to visit China from June 15 to 19.