The Chinese authorities are currently cracking down on internet users attempting to bypass the Great Firewall to access foreign websites. Recently, leaked information online revealed that Chinese human rights activist Shen Qijia was penalized on April 2 for “climbing over the wall.”
Former Shenzhen lawyer Zhou Junhong posted on X platform on April 10, stating that the prominent activist Shen Qijia was fined 500 yuan by the Baiyun Police Station of Dalian Public Security Bureau on April 2 for using VPN software to access the internet and log onto his Telegram account. Zhou criticized the arbitrary administrative punishment issued to Shen Qijia for exercising basic internet freedoms. She emphasized the disparity in how VPN software is permitted for use by the Chinese government’s internet trolls for propaganda, while ordinary citizens are prohibited from utilizing it.
Shen Qijia, also known as “Thunderstruck,” is a 64-year-old businessman from Yuanbao District, Dandong City, Liaoning Province. Following the unjust confiscation of his assets by the authorities years ago, he has become an active petitioner and a popular content creator on Douyin.
On March 22, Shen Qijia shared a video on Douyin recounting his devastating experience of having 4.87 million yuan of his assets seized by the Chinese government and his ongoing 26-year petitioning efforts to reclaim them.
At the end of March, Shen Qijia detailed his personal experiences to the Epoch Times, highlighting his awakening to the true nature of the Chinese Communist Party after enduring significant harm. He proclaimed, “I have personally revolted.”
In 2026, the Chinese Communist Party has not only implemented newly revised cybersecurity laws and prepared to enact measures to prevent cybercrimes, but in April, it suddenly escalated its crackdown on citizens “climbing over the wall” to access restricted content. Experts view this irrational decision as a demonstration of the Party’s escalating internal and external crises.
This recent crackdown on internet freedoms is seen as a draconian move by the Chinese government to tighten its grip on information flow and suppress dissent amidst growing challenges both domestically and internationally.