Overview
- Chen, a China-born U.S. citizen and seismologist based in Boston, was arrested at Beijing Capital International Airport on Nov. 5, 2024, while returning from a family visit and university lectures.
- The U.S. State Department designated him "wrongfully detained" on March 19, elevating his release as a top diplomatic priority for Washington.
- Chinese authorities formally charged Chen with espionage on May 1, 2025, and the family and advisers say a trial is expected but likely to be closed to the public.
- Chen's work was funded by U.S. government programs, used publicly available Chinese seismic data, and involved Chinese collaborators, yet family and advocates say he has been interrogated more than 100 times, barred private consular talks and denied timely legal access.
- His family reports serious health decline, including major weight loss and interrupted diabetes care, and U.S.-China diplomacy has raised the case at senior levels with no public sign of progress from Beijing.