China
The Chinese government is the world’s leading jailer of writers and public intellectuals. Writers, journalists, bloggers, and creative artists face censorship, harassment, imprisonment, and enforced disappearance because of their writing or creative expression.
What You Need to Know
More than 100 writers are currently behind bars on politicized charges in China. The majority were jailed for online expression that was critical of official policies or expressed pro-democracy viewpoints.
China’s leader Xi Jinping has overseen an extensive crackdown on free expression that has included attempted cultural and linguistic destruction targeting Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Mongolians and other ethnic minorities elevating to potential crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, and the crushing of civil and political rights in Hong Kong.
As China’s economic and political strength has increased, the Chinese Communist Party has also expanded its censorship apparatus overseas to try and limit expression about China beyond its borders, engage in transnational repression against exiles and the diaspora, and erode international human rights norms.
News
Individual Cases
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Status: Imprisoned
Author and blogger, Luo Changping was arrested in October 2021 for “defaming martyrs” after posting on Weibo a critical review of a film depicting a battle in the Korean War between the Chinese and U.S. militaries. His account with 2.2…
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Status: Continued Harassment
A historian and literary writer, Yihe has seen her work continually be censored by the Chinese government. She reported on her Facebook account that she was a victim of surveillance by Chinese officials. In addition to her books being banned,…
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Status: Recorded Harassment
Filmmaker and writer Du Bin was detained for over a month beginning on December 16, 2020 for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” ahead of the launch of his book on communism in the Soviet Union, set to publish on January…
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Status: Imprisoned
Lu is an online commentator who has published extensively on democratic issues calling for constitutional reforms since 2013. He was detained multiple times since 2018 for his commentary. On February 18, 2022, Lu was taken away from his residence for…
Reports & Research
Addressing Beijing’s assault on free expression and defending human rights standards globally is a key priority.
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Writing on the Wall
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Made in Hollywood, Censored by Beijing
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Forbidden Feeds
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Splintered Speech
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Darkened Screen
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Censorship and Conscience
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Threatened Harbor