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In response to media inquiry over the death of a Chinese scholar who tragically died by suicide the day after being questioned by US law enforcement officers, a spokesperson for the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago said in a statement published online on Tuesday that the case occurred at a US university within the consulate’s consular district, and that the Chinese side is deeply saddened by the tragedy.

The consulate in Chicago has promptly contacted the family of the individual and provided active assistance to help handle the aftermath. 

For some time, the US side has overstretched the concept of “national security” and engaged in political manipulation, subjecting Chinese students and scholars to unwarranted questioning and harassment, infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, undermining the normal atmosphere of China-US people-to-people exchanges, and creating a serious “chilling effect,” according to the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said China strongly urges the US to conduct a thorough investigation into the case, provide a responsible explanation to the victim’s family and the Chinese side, stop discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese students and scholars in the US, and cease fabricating wrongful and unjust cases. The Chinese government attaches great importance to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals, including students studying overseas.

The consulate has once again reminded Chinese students in its consular district to heighten their awareness of safety precautions and properly respond to US law enforcement actions. In the event of similar situations, they are advised to contact Chinese embassies or consulates in the US at the earliest opportunity. The consulate will continue to firmly uphold the principle of “diplomacy for the people” and make every effort to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and scholars in its consular district, said the spokesperson.