Xue Deyun (pen name Ma Zhe) was a prominent leader of the Guizhou cultural revival movement, which advocated for increased literary freedom in China. He was arrested on January 26, 1998; though the three poets detained with him were released later in the year, Xue was convicted of “engaging in subversive activities,” violating Article 105.2 of the Chinese Penal Code, and attempting to overthrow “the socialist system by rumor-mongering or slander.” He was sentenced to five years in prison. Xue was released on July 25, 2001, when Guizhou’s High Court ruled to reduce his sentence during his appeal.