The Trump administration has classified an American scholar detained in China as wrongfully held. This decision comes after the scholar traveled to China on an invitation from Beijing. The move escalates the case just weeks before President Donald Trump plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared U.S. citizen Min Zin as “wrongfully detained” following a review by the State Department of his June 3 detention in Yunnan.

Zin visited China to attend an academic conference. The Chinese government extended the invitation, according to the State Department.

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Marco Rubio, speaking at Camp David, highlighted the issue. He emphasized the U.S. government’s commitment to resolving the matter. Zin is one of two U.S. citizens considered wrongfully detained in China. The other is Dr. Youlin Chen, a seismologist from Boston.

“The safety and security of U.S. citizens is the State Department’s top priority,” said Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson. “We will continue to advocate for Mr. Zin and demand the release of all U.S. citizens detained or restricted by China.”

Information surfaced that Zin was detained at the airport upon arrival in China. He faced repeated interrogations and isolation for nearly 11 weeks, according to a senior State Department official.

“One moment his family and colleagues were in touch with him; the next, all communication ceased,” the official noted.

His family and colleagues were initially unaware of his whereabouts for 48 hours. Chinese authorities later informed the U.S. Embassy that Zin was under investigation for allegedly threatening China’s national security.

China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed his arrest in June. They attributed it to spying and endangering national security. However, Beijing insists that such cases adhere to Chinese law, denying wrongful detention allegations.

This U.S. classification aims to intensify government efforts to secure Zin’s release. It also draws attention to his plight ahead of Xi Jinping’s anticipated White House visit on September 24.

Zin writes on Burma and Chinese foreign policy. He currently leads the Institute for Strategy and Policy. This think tank focuses on Burma. Zin was part of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising in Burma before seeking asylum in the United States.

The State Department remains committed to pursuing the release of Zin and others facing arbitrary detention or travel restrictions in China.