International PEN welcomes the release of dissident writer Wang Dejia (pen name: Jing Chu), who was freed on bail on January 12, 2008, but remains concerned that he still faces charges. Wang, who was arrested on December 14, 2007, on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power,” could stand trial within a year for his critical writings posted online. His release is said to be conditional on him not writing anything critical of the authorities or “subversive.”

More information:

PEN Concerned About Terms of Release of Cyber-Dissident in China
We Are Ready for Freedom of Expression

Background Information

Guangxi-based dissident writer Wang Dejia was arrested in his home in Guilin, in China’s southern Guangxi Province, on December 13, 2007 and taken to the Quanzhou Chengbei police station, where he was detained on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state powe." His family believes his detention is directly related to his articles published online on the Minzhu Luntan website, including "Illegal Possession of State Secrets: An Important Chinese Communist Party Invention That Persecutes Prisoners of Conscience," "Handcuffed Olympics Will Bring Only Disasters to the People," and "Yi Yuanlong Jailed for Two Years for Four Articles; How Many Will I be Jailed For?" His wife also reports that in October 2007 he met with U.S. embassy officials to discuss human rights in China, which may have been a cause for his arrest.

Write A Letter

  • welcoming the release of dissident writer Wang Dejia, but expressing serious concerns that he still faces trial, and calling for all charges against him to be dropped in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China became a signatory in 1998.

Send Your Letter To

President of the People’s Republic of China
His Excellency Hu Jintao
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China

Supreme People's Procuratorate
Procurator General Mr. Jia Chunwang
Supreme People's Procuratorate
Beiheyan Street 147
100726 Beijing
P.R. China

Please note that there are no fax numbers for the Chinese authorities. PEN recommends that you copy your appeal to the Chinese embassy in your country, asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments.