Chinese researcher’s death after questioning in US prompts anger in Beijing
Chinese researcher’s death after questioning in US prompts anger in Beijing
Authorities seek probe into incident involving semiconductor scholar
The Chinese government has urged U.S. authorities to examine the death of a semiconductor researcher from China, who was found dead following “hostile questioning” by law enforcement. CBS News reported that the individual, identified as Danhao Wang from the University of Michigan, died shortly after interacting with federal investigators.
The university released a statement indicating it was investigating “a possible act of self-harm” after Wang’s fatal fall from a campus building on 19 March. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., expressed “deep distress” over the tragedy to the BBC on Thursday, emphasizing the need for a thorough inquiry.
“China has repeatedly raised serious concerns with relevant U.S. government agencies and universities,” Liu stated, adding that the ministry had reached out to the victim’s family to support them during the aftermath.
While the embassy initially withheld confirmation of Wang’s identity, Liu later disclosed to the South China Morning Post that the deceased was a researcher affiliated with the University of Michigan. Both the university and the Chinese foreign ministry cited respect for the family’s privacy when declining to verify the details further.
According to the university’s profile, Wang specialized in electrical and computer engineering, with a focus on semiconductor research. The Chinese foreign ministry first addressed the case on 27 March, describing the scholar’s death as a result of “hostile questioning” by U.S. law enforcement. It criticized such actions for “violating Chinese citizens’ rights” and creating “a chilling effect” on academic collaboration.
“The U.S. should conduct a full investigation and offer a responsible explanation to the family and Chinese authorities,” said Mao Ning, a foreign ministry spokesperson, during a BBC interview on Wednesday.
Wang’s death has intensified scrutiny on the treatment of Chinese academics in the U.S., amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. This follows the 2024 suicide of Jane Wu, a Chinese-American neuroscientist at Northwestern University, whose family alleged the institution had contributed to her mental health struggles during a prolonged federal probe into her ties with China.
Recent years have seen heightened U.S. monitoring of Chinese students, driven by national security concerns. In 2020, President Donald Trump implemented a visa ban targeting scholars with suspected military connections. Last year, the Trump administration pledged to “aggressively” cancel visas for Chinese students linked to the Communist Party or studying in strategic fields. However, months later, Washington reversed course, issuing 600,000 visas amid trade negotiations between the two nations.
Additional reporting by Stephen McDonnell in Beijing
