China confirms detention of US-citizen Myanmar researcher for espionage

China today confirmed the detention of US-citizen Myanmar political researcher Min Zin (phonetic translation), accusing him of engaging in espionage activities. This comes as Myanmar's former military leader Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to visit China next week for the first time as president on a state visit.

According to Agence France-Presse, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference that China has "taken compulsory criminal measures" against a male US citizen working as a political analyst at a policy think tank specializing in Myanmar, for "suspected involvement in espionage activities that endanger China's national security." He provided no further details.

A person with professional ties to the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar (ISP-M) told Agence France-Presse that Min Zin was arrested at Kunming Airport on the 3rd of this month. Another source closely associated with Min Zin said that Min Zin was traveling to Kunming to attend a conference.

ISP-M specializes in researching Myanmar's political, resource, and conflict dynamics, and some of its published research details China's influence in Myanmar's border regions.

Myanmar has been embroiled in civil war since its military coup in 2021, and Beijing has been accused of supporting both the Myanmar military and rebel factions for its own interests.

ISP-M is currently headquartered in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Since the Myanmar military launched a coup in 2021, overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Chiang Mai has become a gathering place for Myanmar political exiles.

After ruling the country for five years, the Myanmar military government held parliamentary elections this year, but the election was tightly controlled, excluding Aung San Suu Kyi's party, and the pro-military party won easily. Subsequently, members of parliament voted to elect Min Aung Hlaing as president.

China has expressed strong support for Min Aung Hlaing's election victory and announced today that he will visit China from the 15th to the 19th, during which he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Chinese authorities also stated today that they have notified the US Consulate General in Guangzhou of Min Zin's case. The person close to Min Zin said that Min Zin's family and colleagues are contacting the Guangzhou consulate for the latest updates, "I know his family is very worried."