Recently, the well-known mainland Chinese self-media personality Liu Hu has stirred up controversy with an article accusing Pufa County Party Secretary Pu Fayou of violent forced demolitions leading to the suicide of a professor, as well as forcing a commercial enterprise into bankruptcy. Three days after the article was published, Liu Hu and his partner Wu Yingjiao were arrested by the Public Security Bureau in Sichuan Province on February 1.
On February 2, the Jincheng District Branch of the Chengdu Public Security Bureau in Sichuan Province announced that based on the designated jurisdiction of the Chengdu Public Security Bureau, Liu and Wu were under investigation for suspected false accusations and illegal business operations.
Upon receiving the news, Chongqing lawyer Zhang Tingyuan immediately took to the internet to inform friends concerned about Liu Hu. He stated, “Things change unexpectedly and catch people off guard. Liu Hu’s family informed me that the Chengdu police verbally informed him of being criminally detained for false accusations and illegal business operations. He is currently being held in the Chengdu detention center.”
Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao had published an article on January 29 through their self-media platform titled “The Sichuan County Party Secretary Who Once Drove a Professor to Suicide Now Forces a Commercial Enterprise into Bankruptcy,” bringing attention to issues in Pufa County. They were apprehended on February 1 in Handan, Hebei Province by the Chengdu Public Security Bureau’s investigation team.
On February 3, lawyers Liu Qing, Tang Wei, and Zhou Ze from Chongqing attempted to visit Liu Hu at the Chengdu detention center. However, the visit did not seem to go smoothly as their meeting request was still under review from 9 a.m. in the morning and had not been scheduled by the afternoon. Liu Qing emphasized that according to legal provisions, detention centers should promptly arrange visits, not exceeding 48 hours. Lawyer Ren Jianyu’s meeting with Wu Yingjiao also faced obstacles.
Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao have long been dedicated to social justice issues and the rule of law. Lawyer Zhang Xinian praised their work, saying, “In an era of proper laws and good governance, individuals like them, akin to woodpeckers in a forest, play an essential role.” Their high standing and reputation in the media industry have quickly spread news of Liu Hu’s detention within just two days, sparking widespread attention across different sectors.
According to analysis from self-media expert Laoqi, the cross-province arrest by the Chengdu police in Sichuan was not a random act but a well-prepared legal action to validate the case. Before Liu Hu’s arrest, the police must have assessed his social influence. The decision to arrest him despite his influence suggests a deliberate effort to prosecute him, possibly under the instruction of a high-ranking official.
Insiders believe that the crucial aspect of Liu Hu’s arrest lies in the authenticity of his published articles. If the content is found to be false, punitive measures such as content removal or account suspension would be appropriate, but resorting to criminal enforcement seems disproportionate.
Some netizens expressed their hope for the upholding of legal principles to protect whistleblowers from facing undue hardships and to ensure that the truth is not silenced by powers that be.
Self-media figure Li Yuchen reflected in an article titled “Who Is Afraid of Liu Hu?” that in 2014, Liu Hu was recognized as one of the global “Information Heroes.” He was described as a “dangerous individual who needed to be silenced immediately.”
In July 2013, Liu Hu bravely filed a complaint against Deputy Director Ma Zhengqi of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, leading to his detention in Beijing for over a year on charges of defamation, extortion, and provocation. After his release, he faced restrictions such as being placed on a social credit blacklist, had his social media accounts closed, and was prohibited from buying train or plane tickets, essentially confining him to Chongqing.
In 2026, Liu Hu once again found himself detained. Li Yuchen questioned, “Who is afraid of Liu Hu? It’s not just Pu Fayou. It’s also those protecting him, those complicit in forced demolitions, and the entire chain of ‘investment-promises-bullying.’ Fundamentally, they are not afraid of Liu Hu himself but of anyone daring to speak out.”
Media figure Zhang Sanfeng, who used to work alongside Liu Hu at a newspaper in Guangzhou, expressed concern for his colleague. Zhang recalled Liu Hu’s dedication to in-depth investigative journalism both at the newspaper and later as a freelance journalist after leaving institutional media. Despite facing struggles and restrictions, Liu Hu continued to contribute impactful investigative reports under a pen name.
Zhang Fang mentioned, “I often worry about Liu Hu. I saw him a few months ago and expressed my concerns again. He remains optimistic because he believes he diligently verifies every critical piece of information and that his actions are entirely legal. He assured me, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be fine.’ I understand that his optimism stems not from faith in a fair justice system but from his belief in himself. If he acts with integrity, he is prepared to accept whatever consequences may come his way.”