An American-Burmese political researcher, Min Zin, was arrested in China in early June. His think tank stated on Wednesday (June 17) that Min Zin was picked up while attending an academic conference in Kunming and called on Beijing to release him immediately. Meanwhile, the US State Department refuted the Chinese Communist Party’s spy allegations against Min Zin.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Min Zin’s arrest in China last week, stating he was suspected of engaging in espionage activities and threatening national security.
According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the US State Department rejected the CCP’s accusations against Min Zin. The State Department spokesperson said, “US consular officers have visited Min Zin, and the State Department is in communication with Chinese (CCP) officials, providing all necessary consular assistance.”
The Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar) issued a statement on Wednesday urging the CCP to “immediately and unconditionally release” the founder of the think tank, Min Zin. The statement also mentioned that Min Zin was arrested during his trip to Kunming, China, solely for attending an academic conference.
“The Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar strongly refutes and condemns any unfounded accusations against Min Zin,” the statement read.
Min Zin was arrested on June 3 in Kunming, just weeks after Myanmar’s current President Min Aung Hlaing conducted a five-day state visit to China.
The Chinese Communist Party has been one of the key supporters of the Burmese military. In February 2021, the military led by Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup, overthrowing the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering massive protests. The demonstrations escalated into a nationwide armed resistance, with newly formed pro-democracy groups uniting with longstanding ethnic armed forces against the military.
Min Zin was a student activist who participated in the 1988 Burmese pro-democracy movement and later studied political science at the University of California, Berkeley. He founded the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar, initially based in the former Burmese capital of Yangon but relocated overseas after the 2021 coup. The think tank primarily focuses on issues related to conflict and political transition in Myanmar, economic downturn and trade, and bilateral relations with China.
“It is crucial that academic and research institutions like the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar be able to operate without intimidation,” the think tank stated.
Following Min Zin’s arrest, the US Embassy in China posted travel advisories for three consecutive days, reiterating State Department warnings about travel to China and reminding Americans of the risks they may face, including arbitrary detention, lack of recognition of dual nationality, and potential targeting of Americans of Chinese descent.