Independent journalist and one of the initiators of the “MeToo” movement in China, Huang Xueqin, was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “incitement to subvert state power” and is expected to be released today (18th) upon completing her term.
On X platform, “China Action” posted that Huang Xueqin will be released on September 18th! The Chinese authorities have refused her friends to greet her at the prison gate, hoping for Huang Xueqin to return home on time, safely, freely, and in good health.
A coalition of 60 non-governmental organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), issued a joint statement on September 17, urging the Chinese authorities to ensure Huang Xueqin’s immediate release, prevent arbitrary detention, safeguard her freedom of expression, press, association, peaceful assembly, and communication, and protect her from surveillance, harassment, intimidation, and retaliation.
According to Reporters Without Borders, quoting several friends of Huang Xueqin, during her detention, she faced severe interrogations and five months of solitary confinement, leading to health issues.
Born in 1988, Huang Xueqin previously worked at Xinhua News Agency, Guangzhou Daily, and Southern Weekly before becoming an independent journalist, recognized as one of the pioneers of the “MeToo” movement in China. In 2019, she reported on the Hong Kong anti-extradition movement. In October of the same year, she was detained by the Guangzhou police on charges of “provocation.” Later, her detention was changed to residential surveillance, and in January 2020, she was granted bail.
Huang Xueqin had planned to fly to the UK on September 20, 2021, to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Sussex with a scholarship from the British government. However, on September 19, 2021, she and labor rights activist Wang Jianbing disappeared without warning and were later confirmed to be detained by the police. Over a month later, on October 27, 2021, the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau officially arrested both of them on charges of inciting subversion of state power.
On June 14, 2024, Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing were respectively sentenced to five years and three and a half years in prison. The indictment stated that from November 2020, they regularly held meetings to discuss social issues, inciting dissatisfaction with the state power. They filed an appeal on July 3, but the second trial was secretly conducted, upholding the original sentence.
Wang Jianbing was released upon completing his term on March 18, 2025.
In May 2025, Huang Xueqin and four other human rights defenders detained in mainland China and Hong Kong were nominated by members of the US Congress for the Nobel Peace Prize.