Strategic Initiative Forum (SIF) sent an open letter on 4 August to the People’s Republic of China regarding China’s involvement in Myanmar affairs.
The Institute for Indo-Pacific Security condemns, in the strongest terms, the wrongful detention of U.S. citizen U Min Zin by the government of the People’s Republic of China. Min Zin is the founder of the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar) and a strong advocate for democracy and civil rights in Myanmar. Min Zin is also a long-time friend of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security and its predecessor, the Project 2049 Institute.
On 3 June 2026, Min Zin, a US citizen and founder of the Myanmar-focused think tank ISP-Myanmar, which conducts research on China’s coercive influence in Myanmar as part of its work, was detained upon arrival at the airport in Yunnan province after traveling there on invitation of a Chinese academic institution.
1. The Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar) is deeply troubled by the wrongful detention of our Executive Director, U Min Zin, by the People’s Republic of China. ISP-Myanmar calls for the immediate and unconditional release of U Min Zin, who was detained while traveling to Kunming, China, for the sole purpose of attending an academic workshop.
2. ISP-Myanmar is an independent, non-partisan, and non-governmental think tank that promotes democratic leadership and public participation in Myanmar’s public affairs….
Chairman Moolenaar’s statement on China’s detention of American citizen Min Zin:
The Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar calls for China to immediately release U.S. citizen Min Zin, who was lured to China on false pretenses and unjustly detained.
Time and time again, China’s actions speak for themselves, and the message is crystal clear. The CCP can’t be trusted. American businesses should take note.
The recent arrest of a prominent political analyst on Myanmar visiting China demonstrates Beijing’s intensifying intolerance of any independent voices or viewpoints not to their liking.
