China Detains US-National Myanmar Political Researcher Ahead of Min Aung Hlaing's Visit

(CNA, Beijing, June 12, Comprehensive Foreign Report) China confirmed today that it has detained Min Zin, a US-national political researcher of Myanmar, accusing him of espionage. The timing coincides with the upcoming state visit of former Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to China next week, his first as president.

According to Agence France-Presse, regarding reports of the detention of Min Zin, founder of the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar (ISP-M), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference today that China has "taken criminal coercive measures" against a male US citizen who is a political analyst at a policy think tank specializing in Myanmar. The action was taken due to his "suspected engagement in espionage activities endangering China's national security." No further details were provided.

A person with professional ties to ISP-M told AFP that Min Zin was arrested at Kunming airport on the 3rd of this month. Another source close to Min Zin said he was in Kunming to attend a conference.

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

Myanmar has been in a state of civil war since the 2021 military coup, 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 to overthrow the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Chiang Mai has become a gathering place for Myanmar's political exiles.

After ruling the country for five years, Myanmar's military junta held parliamentary elections this year. The election was tightly controlled, with Aung San Suu Kyi's party excluded, leading to an easy victory for the pro-military party. Subsequently, members of parliament voted to elect Min Aung Hlaing as president.

China expressed enthusiastic support for Min Aung Hlaing's election 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 said today that they have notified the US Consulate in Guangzhou about Min Zin's case. The person close to Min Zin stated that his family and colleagues are contacting the Guangzhou consulate for updates, adding, "I know his family is very worried."

The US State Department and ISP-M have not responded to requests for comment.