Chinese researcher’s death after questioning in US prompts anger in Beijing
Chinese researcher’s death after questioning in US prompts anger in Beijing
China has urged U.S. authorities to investigate the passing of a Chinese semiconductor researcher who died following “hostile questioning” by law enforcement officials. According to U.S. media, the individual identified as Danhao Wang, affiliated with the University of Michigan, was discovered deceased shortly after engaging with federal investigators, as reported by CBS News.
On March 19, Wang fell from a campus structure, prompting the University of Michigan to issue a statement noting an inquiry into “a potential act of self-harm.” Despite the university’s remarks, both the Chinese foreign ministry and the embassy in the U.S. have withheld confirmation of Wang’s identity, emphasizing their respect for the family’s privacy.
“We are deeply distressed by this tragedy,” stated Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy, when addressing the BBC on Thursday. He added that China has “repeatedly submitted formal representations to U.S. agencies and universities” concerning the case, and that the victim’s family was contacted to “offer active support in the aftermath.”
Wang, an assistant research scientist specializing in electrical and computer engineering, focused on semiconductor research. The Chinese foreign ministry first commented on the incident on March 27, asserting that the scholar had “taken their own life after enduring aggressive questioning by U.S. law enforcement.” They condemned such actions as “seriously infringing on the rights of Chinese citizens” and “creating a chilling effect on academic exchanges.”
“China will persist in taking necessary measures to safeguard the rights and interests of its nationals,” emphasized Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, during a BBC interview on Wednesday.
This incident marks the latest in a series of concerns surrounding the treatment of Chinese academics in the U.S., as bilateral tensions remain high. The case follows the suicide of Jane Wu, a Chinese-American neuroscientist at Northwestern University, in 2024, where her family alleged the university had “neglected her well-being” during a prolonged federal probe into her ties with China.
In recent years, the U.S. has intensified its oversight of Chinese students, citing national security risks. During Donald Trump’s presidency, a 2020 executive order restricted visas for those suspected of military connections. Last year, the administration pledged to “aggressively revoke” visas for students linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in key fields. However, months later, a policy shift allowed the issuance of 600,000 visas as trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing progressed.
