China's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday the arrest of Min Zin, a US citizen and head of a Myanmar-focused think tank, on suspicion of espionage and endangering national security. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that Min Zin has been placed under criminal detention by relevant authorities in accordance with the law.
China has notified the US consulate general in Guangzhou of the arrest. Min Zin, executive director of the Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP) - Myanmar, was detained after arriving in Kunming, southwest China. Three anonymous sources confirmed his apprehension, with one noting he was arrested at Kunming airport about two weeks ago.
The detention comes as the US and China work to steady their bilateral relationship following President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing last month. The US State Department and ISP-Myanmar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Min Zin, a former student activist in Myanmar's 1988 democracy movement, studied political science at the University of California, Berkeley. He co-founded the ISP, which moved overseas after the 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government. The think tank's recent publications have focused on Myanmar's political transition and failing economy.
