local
Family says US seismologist has been detained in China for nearly 2 years with no trial
By Didi Tang, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 14, 2026
· 3 min read
A China-born American seismologist has been detained in China without trial for nearly two years, an advocacy group advising the family said Tuesday, a revelation that came a couple of months before Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the U.S.The relatives of Youlin Chen of Boston b...
Key takeaway Since taking office, he has already freed 106 people and I know that he and his team will bring Youlin home to us," Rong said.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The detention of Youlin Chen, a US seismologist, in China for nearly two years without trial has significant implications for the San Antonio community, given the city's strong ties to the military and defense industry. As a former US government contractor, Chen's work with the Air Force Research Lab may have involved collaborations with local researchers or institutions in San Antonio, which is home to several major military bases. The fact that Chen is the only US citizen determined by the State Department to be wrongfully detained in China raises concerns about the potential risks faced by San Antonio residents who work with the US government or travel to China for personal or professional reasons. As Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the US in September, the local community will be watching closely to see how Chen's case is resolved, and whether it will impact relations between the US and China.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A China-born American seismologist has been detained in China without trial for nearly two years, an advocacy group advising the family said Tuesday, a revelation that came a couple of months before Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the U.S.The relatives of Youlin Chen of Boston b...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Didi Tang, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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