China’s foreign ministry confirmed the arrest of Min Zin, a U.S. citizen and leader of a Myanmar-focused think-tank, on Friday. The ministry indicated that Min Zin is suspected of espionage and threatening Chinese national security.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the ministry, stated at a regular news conference that Min Zin has been placed under criminal detention. The U.S. consulate general in Guangzhou has been informed of the arrest.
Min Zin serves as the executive director of the Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP) — Myanmar. He was detained after arriving in Kunming, a city in southwest China, according to three individuals familiar with the situation. They requested anonymity due to the matter’s sensitivity.
The U.S. State Department and ISP-Myanmar did not immediately comment on the situation, according to Reuters. A source revealed that Min Zin was arrested at Kunming airport approximately two weeks prior, but did not provide additional information.
This development occurs amidst efforts by the U.S. and China to stabilize their strained relations, a process that followed President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Beijing.
Min Zin, a former student activist involved in Myanmar’s 1988 democracy movement, studied political science at the University of California, Berkeley. He played a role in founding the ISP, initially located in Myanmar but moved overseas after the 2021 military coup, which ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The coup led Myanmar into a prolonged civil war, involving both pro-democracy armed groups and established ethnic armies. These conflicts are closely monitored by Min Zin’s think-tank, which has recently focused on Myanmar’s political dynamics and its struggling economy.
Amid these developments, China has shown public support for Myanmar’s new administration. This government assumed power after an election criticized for excluding major opposition parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s political organization.
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