Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian

"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and have lodged solemn representations with the US side," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday in response to a case that a Chinese postdoctoral researcher recently died by suicide the day after being summoned for questioning and interrogated by US law enforcement officers.

The Chinese embassy and consulate in the US contacted the family of the individual at the earliest opportunity and have been actively assisting them with follow-up arrangements, Lin said. 

For some time, the US side has overstretched the concept of national security for political manipulation, conducting unwarranted questioning and harassment of Chinese students and scholars, infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, undermining the normal atmosphere of China-US people-to-people exchanges, and creating a chilling effect, Lin said. 

The Chinese side urged the US to thoroughly investigate the case, provide a responsible account to the victim's family and to China, cease discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese students and scholars in the US, and stop fabricating unjust or wrongful cases, the spokesperson said, noting that China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens.