A man named Song Jianren, known for his online presence under the pseudonyms like “Red Tassel Manchurian,” was recently sentenced to three years and six months in prison by a Chinese court for inciting ethnic hatred and discrimination. Song had been reported for promoting “Manchu independence” within state-owned enterprises, leading to his conviction. This case, seen as the first since the implementation of the Chinese Communist Party’s “Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress,” has raised political speculations among analysts.
On September 11th, the Yunxi District Court in Yueyang City, Hunan Province, announced the verdict of Song Jianren’s incitement case on its official website. The court stated that from 2020 to 2025, Song Jianren registered multiple accounts on online platforms to fuel hatred and discrimination between ethnic groups, using insulting and false statements to incite ethnic hatred and discrimination.
Reports mention that Song Jianren, originally from Northeast China and a member of the Communist Party, worked at the Yueyang branch of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. He identified himself as a descendant of the Manchu Guwalgiya clan and used various online aliases to propagate hate towards the Han ethnic group, including founding a group called the “Anti-Traitor Team” and engaging in malicious reporting activities.
In July 2025, a Sichuan woman gained popularity for making and promoting traditional Han clothing, leading to praise from many. However, Song Jianren reported her for “undermining ethnic unity,” causing her to face backlash and accusations of being an “extremist,” triggering public anger.
Previous attempts by prominent online figures to report Song Jianren for allegedly promoting Manchu independence within state-owned enterprises had been inconclusive. Speculation arose among netizens that he might have been a pawn groomed by the authorities themselves.
An audio recording purportedly featuring Song Jianren bragging about his connections to powerful agencies, claiming immunity from prosecution due to collaborations with various governmental departments, circulated online. The authenticity of these claims remains unverified.
Chinese affairs expert Li Linyi told Epoch Times that Song Jianren’s reprehensible behavior aligns with the controversial figures cultivated by the Party’s culture, likely serving the interests of national security and public safety agencies. These entities often manipulate individuals to sow discord and prevent unity against the CCP’s authoritarian rule, subsequently abandoning them when their utility diminishes.
The official Chinese newspaper “China Ethnic News” published a front-page article on September 11th condemning a few malicious internet users spreading misinformation and inciting ethnic hatred under the guise of being ethnic warriors. The piece warned against historical revisionism and the propagation of superiority narratives, emphasizing the importance of national unity.
According to Li Linyi, the recent sentencing of Song Jianren under the “Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress” could signify a high-profile enforcement targeting those inciting ethnic discord on the internet since the law’s enactment in July. The law, often criticized for suppressing minority rights and supporting international oppression, signals the government’s efforts to punish troublemakers like Song Jianren to deflect attention from human rights violations.
Hong Kong’s “Ming Pao” newspaper highlighted the significance of Song Jianren’s case as the first prominent prosecution for inciting ethnic division following the enforcement of the “Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress” in July.
Li Linyi hinted at the authorities’ potential next steps following the Song Jianren case, suggesting that the government’s actions in response to such incidents serve to mitigate public outrage and shift focus away from underlying human rights concerns. The developments in this area warrant close observation.