- China has detained US seismologist Chen Youlin for nearly two years on espionage charges while visiting family in Beijing.
- His family and advocacy groups allege wrongful detention, noting he was interrogated over 100 times and denied legal access initially, with concerns over his health conditions.
- Chen's work focused on using seismic data to monitor nuclear tests, including in North Korea, raising suspicions his arrest relates to China's nuclear activities and U.S. detection methods.
- China denies wrongdoing, stating judicial handling is lawful, while U.S. officials warn the case undermines academic cooperation and bilateral relations.
- The detention follows another arrest of a U.S. scholar, Min Zin, accused of spying, highlighting tensions over espionage allegations and national security.