China Has Arrested U.S. Scholar Who Studies Myanmar Politics
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-06-11 23:10:00 — www.nytimes.com
President Trump Praises Xi Jinping Amid U.S. Citizen’s Arrest in China, Seeks Closer Partnership
President Trump praised Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a recent summit and state banquet in Beijing, stating his intention to form a “G2” partnership with China that would emphasize cooperation rather than competition. This overture comes as Chinese authorities arrested U.S. citizen U Min Zin, a political scientist and executive director of a Myanmar-focused policy group, on national security charges in early June.
Trump’s admiration for Xi has been longstanding, and he moved to accommodate China after its government retaliated against the United States during a trade war initiated by Trump last year. The timing of Min Zin’s arrest—less than three weeks after Trump’s visit—complicates efforts to improve U.S.-China relations. One American official noted that while Chinese officials claim to seek “constructive strategic stability,” the arrest undermines that effort.
Trump has also announced plans to host Xi Jinping in Washington around September 24 for a reciprocal visit, further highlighting his focus on building a cooperative relationship with China despite ongoing concerns about human rights and the detention of American citizens.
Conclusion
President Trump’s public praise of Xi Jinping and pursuit of a closer partnership with China have come under scrutiny as diplomatic tensions rise following the arrest of an American citizen on national security charges. The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of Trump’s approach to China, particularly as human rights concerns and the fate of detained Americans remain unresolved.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/politics/china-arrests-us-scholar.html