BEIJING — Several of the six Chinese scientists who were charged with economic espionage by the United States this week are young stars in their fields, and any government ties they have are rooted in their work with a university vying to be a major force in microchip engineering and sales, according to online documents and an interview with a colleague.

The indictments announced by the United States Justice Department on Tuesday were widely reported in the Chinese news media, and they surprised many people here, especially those who know the six accused men.

Zhang Hao, 36, who was arrested on Saturday after he landed at Los Angeles International Airport on his way to a conference, was known for “being such a high achiever at such a young age,” said Li Xinghua, an engineering professor at Tianjin University, a state-run institution where Mr. Zhang and at least two other defendants also work.

“I was very shocked” by the “unthinkable” news of his arrest, Mr. Li said. “Everyone is talking about it.”