On May 21, a statement released by the Beijing Biyi Law Firm has garnered attention from the public. The statement highlighted that the Beijing Municipal Justice Bureau, citing overseas remarks by former lawyer Fang Xianguo of the law firm criticizing Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping as “anti-party” and “anti-society,” has been using threats and obstacles to hinder the law firm’s passing of the 2025 annual inspection.
Director Li Guobei of the Biyi Law Firm stated in the announcement that the Beijing Municipal Justice Bureau, Beijing Bar Association, and Chaoyang District Justice Bureau, based on unsubstantiated remarks from Fang Xianguo made overseas, are trying to hold all lawyers at the firm collectively responsible. Refusing to comply, they are threatened with investigations under the pretext of filing cases, claiming that even if postponed until September, the annual inspection cannot proceed. This is a clear case of abuse of power.
Li Guobei expressed that if the stamp of approval for the annual inspection is not obtained by May 31, complaints and accusations against those abusing their power will be lodged.
Chinese human rights lawyer Zhao Liang (pseudonym) mentioned to Da Ji Yuan on May 21 that the actions of the Chinese authorities against Fang Xianguo and the law firm aim to enforce obedience to the Party. “When the authorities believe that it damages their image or conflicts with their interests, they employ a system of control and sanctions to discipline these individuals,” Zhao Liang said.
According to Zhao Liang, the suppression faced by the Biyi Law Firm may be linked to a recent meeting between Lawyer Li Guobei and Lawyer Xie Yang in detention, where the former exposed incidents of humiliation endured by the latter in detention.
Lawyer Fang Xianguo was originally a practicing lawyer at the Beijing Biyi Law Firm and had provided assistance to Xu Zhiyong, one of the founders of the Chinese New Citizens Movement, as well as Chen Pinlin, the director of a documentary on the White Paper movement. In 2024, Fang Xianguo participated in a human rights activity in the European Union where he called for sanctions against the Chinese Communist Party. Following the leak of this information, he is currently seeking asylum in the UK.
Chinese human rights lawyer Chen Hao (pseudonym), whose lawyer’s license has been revoked by the authorities, stated to Da Ji Yuan that the Chinese Communist Party persecutes human rights lawyers, restricts freedom of speech, and operates on laws reminiscent of a gangster society. With the current poor economic environment and dismal judicial climate domestically, the survival of human rights lawyers is exceptionally challenging.
Chen Hao disclosed that, due to representing human rights cases, both he and his law firm have experienced persecution. Particularly since the widespread arrests of human rights lawyers during the “709 crackdown,” the Ministry of Justice has issued documents to suppress lawyers, causing many to refrain from handling human rights cases out of fear of being transferred, sanctioned, or implicated along with their law firms and directors – a classic case of guilt by association.
The statement by Lawyer Li Guobei has been met with support from the public.
The “Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Group” publicly stated that the persecution of the Biyi Law Firm by the Justice Bureau lacks legal basis and its reasoning is absurd. They stand by Lawyer Li Guobei’s opposition to collective punishment and pledge to monitor the unfolding events.
Lawyer Wang Quanzhang remarked on X platform: “If the logic of guilt by association stands, why only hold the law firm accountable? Shouldn’t the Justice Bureau and Department of Justice also be implicated?”
Zhao Liang expressed admiration for lawyers like Li Guobei who dare to speak out. These lawyers assist ordinary citizens and play a significant role in maintaining social equilibrium. By offering hope to those whose rights are at risk, it prevents resorting to extreme measures to demand fairness. However, relentless suppression by the authorities could lead to severe consequences for social stability.
“When silencing these human rights lawyers and activists, the society becomes more volatile, leading to increased violence or anti-social events,” Zhao Liang warned.