Recently, Fujian petitioner Chen Guang traveled to Beijing for tourism and was hosted for a day trip by Wang Xiuying, Zhao Zuoyuan, and Chen Yuexiu in Beijing. They visited the National Grand Theater, went to Xidan, and were stopped by the police on their way to Beihai Park for an ID check. They were told this was not a place for petitioning and were taken away in a police vehicle.
On August 26th, Fujian petitioner Chen Guang, Wang Xiuying, Shandong petitioner Zhao Zuoyuan, and Beijing native Chen Yuexiu arranged a one-day trip in Beijing guided by local Chen Yuexiu.
At the first stop, they visited the National Grand Theater, where they were asked to show their IDs twice, once in front and once at the back of the theater. At the back door, they were stopped by a young man without a uniform, followed by a security guard who demanded to check their IDs, but their request was refused.
Chen Yuexiu questioned the security guard, “You are not a police officer, what authority do you have to check our IDs?” After making a phone call, two police officers arrived and checked their IDs, inspected their belongings, and once it was confirmed they were not carrying any petitioning materials, they were allowed to proceed. As they circled around to the front entrance of the theater, their IDs and belongings were checked again before being allowed to pass.
Next, they planned to head to Xidan. While walking through a subway passage, a police officer suddenly asked to check Zhao Zuoyuan’s ID and belongings, stating that she could only take the subway to Xidan and not use public transport or accompany him to the police station for investigation. Zhao Zuoyuan agreed to cooperate with the police investigation but refused to go to the police station. After a prolonged standoff, the police thoroughly checked all of Zhao Zuoyuan’s belongings before letting her go.
In Xidan, after having lunch, they were walking towards Beihai Park when they used a public restroom. Upon exiting the restroom, they found a police car parked at the entrance of an alley, with one officer inside and another standing guard. They continued walking and were stopped by a police officer at a sentry post, who questioned, registered, and checked their belongings. After the bag inspection, the police prevented them from leaving, mechanically informing them that petitioning should be done at designated national places, and this was not the place for such activities. Despite explaining they were not there for petitioning and not carrying any materials, the police insisted, citing that it was Fuyou Street and they could not pass through. The police swiped their IDs, claiming that in the era of big data, they would know about their petitioning activities with just a swipe. Subsequently, they were to be taken away in a “detention car.”
Wang Xiuying shared the experience of their Beijing day trip on a WeChat group, stating, “We find this unreasonable. Even if we are petitioners, how did petitioners come to be? Isn’t it because of the government’s inaction or misdeeds, or wrongful judgments made by the court, that we are victims created by them? Being stamped with the label ‘petitioner’ is like living in a prison, where basic human rights are deprived.”
Subsequently, Wang Xiuying called 110 to report the incident, but was warned that she must cooperate or face dire consequences. In the end, they were taken to a police checkpoint around Zhongnanhai.
At the checkpoint, their IDs were registered, then re-registered at the entrance of the checkpoint, followed by a thorough check, even requiring them to remove their shoes for a security check. Later on, the police asked if they wanted to go to Jiu Jing Zhuang, and if they refused, the Beijing liaison office would come to take them away.
Chen Yuexiu, being a native of Beijing hosting visiting friends, also faced various checks. She questioned why she should be restricted and inspected when she had not broken any laws in Beijing. While Chen Guang, Wang Xiuying, and Zhao Zuoyuan were taken away by the local Beijing liaison office, Chen Yuexiu was detained until 7:30 in the evening.
On August 28th, the local police visited Wang Xiuying at her rented place to caution her against wandering around aimlessly.
On August 29th, after Chen Guang and Chen Yuexiu dined at a restaurant, Chen Yuexiu was detained again near Dajialan.
According to Chen Yuexiu, as they walked from the west exit towards Dajialan, they were caught on a surveillance camera, and the police came to check their IDs, detaining her at a guard post near Dajialan from around 3 p.m. to past 6 p.m., before being picked up by the local police.
Chen Yuexiu mentioned that her latest detention may be related to her call to the 12345 citizen hotline after being detained for over 6 hours on Fuyou Street on August 26th. She highlighted the unjust treatment and vowed to complain against the unlawful detainment and restrictions she faced.
Wang Xiuying expressed solidarity with the sentiment, emphasizing that it’s not only her voice but the collective voice of petitioners nationwide. She concluded by stating, “The life of a petitioner is controlled by the state!”
On August 30th, as Chen Guang left Beijing, he was again stopped for an ID check at Fengtai Station.
Chen Guang voiced his frustration, questioning, “Labeling us as petitioners, facial recognition responses, and being restricted everywhere we go, what are they so afraid of?”