Beijing, China - Beijing has said that it is "deeply distressed" about the death of a Chinese researcher at the University of Michigan who passed away after facing "hostile questioning" by law enforcement.

Danhao Wang, a Chinese semiconductor researcher at the University of Michigan, fell to his death from a campus building on March 19, hours after being questioned by federal law enforcement investigators.

University police said in a statement that Wang's death was being investigated as a "possible act of self-harm."

Nick Geiser, who works with the University of Michigan Postdoctoral Researchers' Organization (UM-PRO), told CBS News that the group was made aware of reports that Wang was interrogated before his death, but that very few details are known.

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China's Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that he had died after "being subjected to hostile questioning by US law enforcement personnel."

"This incident is contextual to a larger climate of fear felt by immigrant workers from all industries, home countries, and walks of life under the current administration," Geiser said.

"UM-PRO has advised its membership to not speak to law enforcement without an attorney present, per our constitutional rights."

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's Embassy in Washington, told the BBC on Thursday that Beijing was "deeply distressed by this tragedy."

In a statement, Liu said that China has "repeatedly lodged solemn representations with relevant US government agencies and universities regarding this case," and demanded a full investigation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday also addressed the incident, again demanding an explanation.

"China calls on the US to carry out a full investigation, give the family of the victim and the Chinese side a responsible explanation, and stop any discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese scholars and students," she said.