Beijing 'distressed' by Chinese researcher's death in US university

China has called on American authorites to investigate the death of a Chinese semiconductor researcher in the US, who was found dead after "hostile questioning" by law enforcement there.

US media have identified the researcher as Danhao Wang from the University of Michigan. Wang died shortly after talking to federal investigators, CBS News reported.

The University of Michigan said in a statement that it was investigating "a possible act of self-harm", after a researcher's fatal fall from a campus building on 19 March.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, told the BBC on Thursday that they were "deeply distressed by this tragedy".

He said China has "repeatedly lodged solemn representations with relevant US government agencies and universities regarding this case", and have contacted the victim's family to "provide active assistance with the aftermath".

He also reminded Chinese students in the US to "heighten their safety awareness" and "handle US law enforcement actions appropriately".

While the embassy declined to confirm the deceased researcher's identity to the BBC, Liu earlier identified him to the South China Morning Post as Danhao Wang from the University of Michigan.

Both the university and the Chinese foreign ministry have also declined to confirm the researcher's identity, citing respect for the family and personal privacy.

Wang was an assistant research scientist of electrical and computer engineering, according to his profile on the university website. His research interests involved semiconductors.

China's foreign ministry first addressed the case on 27 March, when it said a Chinese scholar had taken their own life "after being subjected to hostile questioning by US law enforcement personnel".

Such actions "seriously violate Chinese citizens' lawful rights, poison the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and continue to create a serious chilling effect," the ministry said.

It added that the US should conduct a "full investigation" and provide a "responsible explanation" to the researcher's family and Chinese authorities.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated calls for a US investigation on Wednesday, when asked about Wang's case by the BBC.

"China will continue to take what is necessary to firmly defend Chinese citizens' legitimate and lawful rights and interests," she said.

Wang's death is the latest case to draw attention to the status of Chinese academics in the US as tensions between the two rival nations persist.

After Chinese-American neuroscientist Jane Wu from Northwestern University died by suicide in 2024, her family sued the school, claiming that the university had treated her poorly while she faced a years-long federal investigation into her ties with China.

The US has tightened its scrutiny of Chinese students on American campuses in recent years, citing national security concerns.

In 2020, during US president Donald Trump's first term, he signed an order barring Chinese students and researchers with suspected military ties from obtaining US visas.

Last year, the Trump administration vowed to "aggressively" revoke the visas of Chinese students, especially those linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. Months later, the US made a U-turn on the hard line stance, issuing 600,000 Chinese student visas as Washington and Beijing engaged in trade talks.

Additional reporting by Stephen McDonnell in Beijing