A Journalist and a Labor Activist in China Tried After Two Years of Detention

A Chinese journalist and a labor activist were tried in a closed session in Guangzhou on charges of subversion. Supporters and civil activists criticized Chinese authorities for holding this 'sham trial' and called for the immediate release of the two. Huang Suqin, an independent Chinese journalist who gained fame for covering the MeToo movement in China, and Wang Jianbing, a labor rights activist, were detained in September 2021 in Guangzhou and a month later charged with 'inciting subversion of state power.' They were imprisoned without trial for two years, and their supporters, who had been following their case, were informed this week about the date and location of the trial. A group of supporters issued a statement accusing Chinese officials of fabricating charges against Ms. Huang and Mr. Wang and of deliberately delaying their trial date. Analysts say this case reflects the Chinese government's fear of organized gatherings by activists and its determination to suppress any related activities. William Nee, a researcher and coordinator for the China Human Rights Defenders group based in the U.S., told Voice of America, 'The Chinese government destroyed civil society a decade ago. However, it believes that informal communications among activists have created a kind of network and intends to eliminate this network as well.' Mr. Nee believes that Chinese officials may also be seeking retaliatory action against Ms. Huang, who has covered many sensitive issues for Beijing, including protests against the 2019 extradition bill and the Chinese MeToo movement. During the Chinese MeToo movement in 2018, Huang Suqin launched a social media platform to report sexual harassment cases in China and published survey results indicating that sexual harassment was a serious problem in universities and workplaces. Wang Jianbing has also defended the rights of workers and people with disabilities. Some activists believe Huang and Wang have been targeted for repression because the Chinese government sees them as part of a 'new generation of activists.' Images shared by an anonymous group show security forces and police blocking streets around the courthouse where the trial was held and preventing anyone from approaching or gathering near the court. Reuters reported that diplomats from seven Western countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, and the Netherlands, who intended to attend the trial, were barred from entering the courthouse. Human rights defenders say the secrecy surrounding Huang and Wang's case indicates a new trend in China where officials prevent the dissemination of information regarding sensitive human rights cases. Chinese authorities have also attempted to silence and intimidate individuals close to Huang and Wang. William Nee told Voice of America, 'Up to 70 people may have been interrogated in connection with this case, and it appears that officials are building a case against Huang and Wang.' He added, 'They are seen as a focal point of a kind of network that officials consider a potential political threat.' Meanwhile, supporters of the two detained activists have expressed concern about their deteriorating physical condition. They say that during the two years of detention, Huang Suqin's menstrual cycle has stopped, and she has suffered severe weight loss and chronic back pain. A group of her supporters stated in a February statement, citing informed sources, that interrogators often wake Ms. Huang in the middle of the night for questioning. They have identified these 'harassing' interrogation methods as the main cause of her deteriorating physical and mental health. There is extensive evidence of human rights violations by China, Russia, and the Islamic Republic. The U.S. has a consistent policy of supporting human rights and the rights of protesters, whether in Iran or China. Blinken in Beijing; the U.S. and China foreign ministers' dialogue was 'honest' and 'constructive.' There is an increase in the repression of sexual and gender minorities in China; the Beijing LGBT center has been shut down.