Chinese embassy in US confirms death of semiconductor researcher Wang Danhao

Wang Danhao, a postdoctoral researcher at University of Michigan’s College of Engineering since 2022, is reported to have died after a fall on campus late on March 19.

Photo: Handout Chinese semiconductor researcher Wang Danhao died at the University of Michigan last month, shortly after being questioned by US federal law enforcement.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China’s embassy in Washington, confirmed to the South China Morning Post in an email on Monday that Wang had taken his own life. “We are deeply distressed by this tragedy,” Liu wrote, adding that the US had “overstretched” the concept of national security and subjected Chinese students and scholars to unwarranted questioning and harassment.

He called on the US government to conduct a thorough investigation, provide a responsible explanation to Wang’s family and the Chinese side, and end what he described as discriminatory law enforcement practices.

Wang, a postdoctoral research scientist at the university’s College of Engineering since 2022, died after a fall inside the George G.

Brown Building on campus late on March 19.

University police responded to a report at around 11pm and later pronounced him dead, according to a public information officer with the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security.

The police did not identify the deceased.

The embassy had been in contact with Wang’s family in China to offer assistance, Liu added.

He also urged Chinese students in the US to stay vigilant and contact Chinese diplomatic missions if they encountered issues with law enforcement.

China’s foreign ministry first commented on the case on March 27, saying it was “deeply saddened” and had raised “solemn representations” with the US side.

In a follow-up statement on March 30, China’s consulate in Chicago said the Chinese scholar died by suicide “the day after being questioned by US law enforcement”.

In a collegewide email sent on April 1, Karen Thole, dean of the College of Engineering, also identified Wang as the victim.

Thole described him as a “promising and brilliant young mind”, according to Michigan-based local news website MLive. “His loss is felt deeply … not only by those who knew him here at the University, but also everyone who understands his potential to have contributed to breakthroughs in science that would have positively impacted people around the world,” Thole wrote.

Wang worked in the lab of Zetian Mi, the Pallab K.

Bhattacharya Collegiate Professor of Engi

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