曾研究朝鮮核試驗，地震學家陳友麟遭中國拘留

- Author, 黃思琪（Kelly Ng）
- Published
- 閱讀時間: 3 分鐘
中國一個追蹤核試驗的美國地震學家因間諜罪名被拘留近兩年，他的家人表示。
據人質倡議組織「全球觸及」（Global Reach）稱，54歲的陳友麟博士（Dr Chen Youlin）於2024年11月前往北京探親期間被捕。在看不到北京將釋放陳友麟的任何跡象後，其家人決定公開發聲。
同為地震學家的妻子榮玉仿博士（Dr Rong Yufang）表示，陳友麟與中國同行密切合作，而相關指控「既不正確，也與他所從事工作公開且具合作性的性質不符」。
他已發表的研究主要聚焦朝鮮（北韓）。朝鮮是中國的親密夥伴，並因其核武計劃及地下核試驗長期受到制裁。
目前尚不清楚陳友麟的工作是否以及如何涉及北京的核計劃。美國情報顯示，中國正發展新的核武庫，並曾進行秘密試驗，但北京予以否認。
在星期二（7月14日）的例行記者會上被問及此案時，中國外交部發言人林劍表示：「中國是法治國家，司法機關依法辦案，不存在所謂『錯誤拘押』。」
在中國，間諜罪定罪可被判處終身監禁或死刑。
目前，陳友麟是唯一被認定為「遭錯誤拘留」的美國公民。
榮玉仿透過 Global Reach 發表聲明稱：「我已經超過600天無法與丈夫通話，並對他的健康和福祉感到擔憂。」
她在接受路透社採訪時表示，中國當局就其工作對丈夫進行了超過100次訊問，而且在被拘留的最初13個月內，他不被允許見律師。
陳友麟出生於中國，2011年成為美國公民，現居於馬薩諸塞州（麻省）波士頓。
他專門利用地震學數據識別核試驗，並參與多個由美國政府資助的項目。榮玉仿表示，他與中國同事的合作始終是「透明地」進行。
她補充說：「他所做的，正是中國政府表示希望看到的人文交流。」
陳友麟的研究包括於2020年12月發表的一項研究，該研究分析了亞洲各地包括中國所記錄到的地震數據，以改進核試驗監測及爆炸當量估算的方法。
據 Global Reach 稱：「美國政府內部懷疑，陳友麟被捕是因中國進行了違反《全面禁止核試驗條約》的核試驗而引發。」
該組織表示，陳友麟的專業知識將給中國提供「盡可能深入了解美國地震監測方法的機會，以建立反制措施，從而規避該條約」。
該條約旨在禁止地球上一切核爆炸試驗，但一些「具核能力」國家至今仍未批准條約。其中包括美國和中國，兩國均已自願暫停爆炸性核試驗。
2020年6月，在唐納德·特朗普（Donald Trump；川普）首個總統任期內，其政府指責北京在中國西北部的羅布泊設施進行秘密地下核試驗。中國駁斥有關指控，稱其毫無根據且出於政治動機。
另一個美國人質倡議組織弗利基金會（Foley Foundation）表示，陳友麟的健康狀況令人關注，指出他患有糖尿病、高血壓及高膽固醇。
基金會表示：「在遭不公正監禁期間，他無法獲得可靠的治療和照護，而這些正是他所需要的。」
馬薩諸塞州民主黨籍聯邦參議員埃德·馬基（Edward Markey）表示，北京對待陳友麟的方式「損害了（中美）夥伴關係，也可能令其他學者卻步，不願與其在中國的同行交流」。
他在星期二發表的聲明中寫道：「我希望外界對其遭不公正拘留的關注增加，將迫使中國政府做正確的事，釋放陳友麟。」
有關陳友麟被拘留的細節曝光一個月前，中國證實已拘捕另一名美國學者、專注緬甸研究智庫的主管敏辛（Min Zin）。
北京指控敏辛從事間諜活動並危害中國國家安全。

Facts Only

* Dr. Chen Youlin (54), a U.S. seismologist, was detained in Beijing in November 2024.
* Dr. Rong Yufang (wife) stated that Dr. Chen Youlin had close cooperation with Chinese colleagues.
* Dr. Chen Youlin's research focused on North Korea and utilized earthquake data to monitor nuclear testing.
* Chinese officials stated the detention was lawful according to Chinese law.
* Dr. Rong Yufang reported being unable to communicate with her husband for over 600 days while he was detained.
* U.S. intelligence suggests China is developing new nuclear arsenals and has conducted secret tests, which Beijing denies.
* China detained another U.S. scholar, Min Zin, who studied Myanmar, one month prior to Chen Youlin's detention.
* Dr. Chen Youlin holds dual citizenship (born in China, became a U.S. citizen) and resides in Boston, Massachusetts.
* The Foley Foundation noted Dr. Chen Youlin's health concerns during his detention period.

Executive Summary

A U.S. seismologist, Dr. Chen Youlin, who researches nuclear testing and earthquake science, was detained in Beijing in November 2024 while visiting family. His wife, Dr. Rong Yufang, stated that Chen Youlin had close cooperation with Chinese counterparts, although she found the allegations of espionage inaccurate given their professional collaboration. The research focus has been on North Korea, which is a close partner to China due to its nuclear program and testing history. While details remain unclear about Chen Youlin's direct involvement in Beijing's nuclear plans, U.S. intelligence suggests China is developing new nuclear arsenals, despite Beijing's denials. Chinese officials have asserted that the detention was lawful under Chinese judicial procedures. Dr. Chen Youlin is one of the few U.S. citizens officially cited as having been "wrongly detained." His wife reported being unable to communicate with him for over 600 days and expressed concern for his health, noting extensive questioning by Chinese authorities and denial of access to a lawyer during his initial detention period.

Full Take

The narrative centers on the tension between stated diplomatic cooperation and alleged espionage or state security concerns regarding scientific research and nuclear proliferation. The core dynamic involves competing understandings of reality: one side posits transparent collaboration, while the other suggests covert intelligence activities leading to wrongful confinement. This creates a significant ambiguity concerning the actual intent behind the detention—whether it stems from the nature of academic cooperation, external intelligence interests, or geopolitical rivalry. The reference to Chen Youlin's expertise in earthquake data for nuclear monitoring highlights how specialized knowledge can become a point of friction in high-stakes geopolitical contexts where trust is low. The persistence of differing accounts regarding his status—from official denials to family distress and outside organizational claims—demonstrates a breakdown in verifiable shared reality. The implication is that the pursuit of information, even in scientific contexts, becomes weaponized when state security narratives clash with open academic exchange. The questioning of external actors, such as Dr. Markey, suggests that the management of such detained scholars has broader implications for international scholarly relations and trust.

Sentinel — Human

Confidence

The article appears to be a report synthesizing multiple sources regarding the detention of an academic, characterized by direct quotes and layered contextual information typical of investigative journalism.

Signals Detected

Sentence length variance is present; the text mixes direct reporting with more narrative explanation.

The text flows logically from the central incident to supporting claims, showing a clear thread of focus on Dr. Chen Youlin.

Attribution is varied (family, NGO, government statements), suggesting sourcing beyond a single monolithic voice.

Specific names, dates, and documented organizations are present, and the claims reference existing geopolitical context (NPT, nuclear testing).

Human Indicators

The inclusion of specific personal details (family concerns, health issues) alongside high-level geopolitical claims suggests an attempt to weave personal narrative with factual reporting.

The shifts in focus between the victim's situation, international relations context, and legal proceedings suggest a developing human editorial arc rather than pure data compilation.