Danhao Wang, an assistant research scientist in the University of Michigan's electrical and computer engineering department, died on 20 March after reportedly falling from a campus building. American authorities said they were investigating the death as a 'possible act of self-harm'. According to Chinese media, Wang had been questioned by US law enforcement about his research shortly before his death, describing the interaction as 'hostile questioning'.
The Chinese foreign ministry said it was 'deeply saddened by the heartbreaking death' and alleged that for some time now, the US has overstretched the concept of national security for political manipulation and groundlessly interrogated and harassed Chinese scholars and students. The ministry said these moves infringe on Chinese citizens' legitimate and lawful rights and interests, poison the atmosphere of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the US and create a serious chilling effect.
It followed a longstanding policy of neither confirming nor denying the existence of any investigation or investigative activity involving specific individuals.
Beijing has formally protested to the US and called for a comprehensive inquiry. The Chinese foreign ministry said China calls on the US to carry out a full investigation, give the family of the victim and the Chinese side a responsible explanation, stop any discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese scholars and students in the US, and stop imposing wrongful convictions. US authorities have not confirmed whether Wang was under investigation. The FBI said that it followed a longstanding policy of neither confirming nor denying 'the existence of any investigation or investigative activity involving specific individuals'.
University of Michigan engineering dean Karen Thole described Wang as a 'promising and brilliant young mind' in a message to the academic community. The University of Michigan came under scrutiny last year after three Chinese nationals linked to it were charged by the FBI with attempting to smuggle biological materials into the US.
Promising and brilliant young mind.
Activist group CODEPINK has alleged broader issues, with Megan Russell, its China campaign coordinator, stating that the researcher's death was 'not an isolated incident'. In a statement on their website, CODEPINK said Chinese scholars in the US are facing increasing persecution, surveillance, and unjust arrests simply for being Chinese.
Wang's death comes amid the Donald Trump administration's scrutiny of alleged Chinese influence at educational institutions in the US.
Not an isolated incident.
If this was an isolated incident of self-harm for reasons outside the responsibility of the University of Michigan, that is one thing. But this is not.
Chinese scholars in the US are facing increasing persecution, surveillance, and unjust arrests simply for being Chinese.
The University of Michigan has not only remained silent, but has actively aided federal agencies in its ongoing persecution of Chinese scholars.