China has confirmed the detention of a US citizen on suspicion of espionage, identifying the individual as political analyst and think tank founder Min Zin. The announcement was made on Friday by Chinese authorities, adding a new point of tension to an already complex relationship between Beijing and Washington.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, Min Zin has been subjected to criminal compulsory measures on allegations of engaging in activities that endangered China’s national security. Officials did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the alleged espionage activities or the evidence supporting the accusations.

Min Zin is the founder of the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar, an independent research organisation that studies political developments, conflict dynamics and resource issues in Myanmar. The think tank is based in Chiang Mai and has become a prominent source of analysis since Myanmar’s 2021 military coup plunged the country into prolonged political instability and civil conflict.

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Reports indicate that Min Zin was detained on June 3 at an airport in Kunming while attending a meeting in China’s Yunnan province, which shares a border with Myanmar. Sources familiar with the matter said family members and colleagues have been working through diplomatic channels following his arrest. Chinese authorities stated that the US consulate in Guangzhou was notified about the case in accordance with relevant procedures.

The detention comes amid heightened regional sensitivity surrounding Myanmar, where military leader Min Aung Hlaing is expected to visit China next week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing has maintained close ties with Myanmar’s military-led government and has supported recent political developments in the country, despite criticism from democracy advocates and international watchdogs.

Neither the United States Department of State nor the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar had issued an official response at the time of publication. The case is likely to attract international attention as authorities continue their investigation, while concerns remain over the circumstances of the detention and its implications for researchers and policy analysts working on Myanmar-related issues.

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