The upcoming annual meetings of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) known as the “Two Sessions” are set to commence in Beijing on March 4. Reports from Beijing residents reveal that amidst the crowded lines at the National Petition Office, there has been a surge of individuals known as “interceptors” who pretend to be petitioners in order to take up spots in line, preventing genuine petitioners from entering the reception hall.
Videos captured by internet users show a long line of people dressed in black at the front of the queue. Within human rights advocacy groups, petitioners have been discussing this situation extensively.
Ms. Ai, a petitioner, posted online saying, “There are so many interceptors blocking my way, they managed to infiltrate while passing through security. Many of them even intentionally carried materials with them.”
Mr. Bi, another petitioner, expressed, “Unbelievable! It’s all interceptors taking up positions inside, no wonder it takes so long to allow entry.”
Regarding a chubby police officer shown in the video, Mr. Xi, a petitioner, remarked, “It seems like the officer who escorted me out of the Discipline Inspection Commission last time.”
Mr. Di, a petitioner, alleged, “Do you know this police officer? He colludes with Beijing police and our local government at the National Petition Office, specifically dragging us petitioners into the metal sheds inside.”
Mr. Xi suggested, “Legal action can be taken against the corrupt police within the petition office, or complaints can be filed with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, or at the Xianongtan Police Station for case registration. There have been precedents among petitioners.”
He shared a “Special Procedures Notification Letter”, which was received by a petitioner after reporting to the Beijing Xicheng Sub-bureau for being intercepted at the National Petition Office.
Ms. Wu, a petitioner from Nanjing, also cautioned everyone that Beijing has begun clearance operations, entering a special phase these days, urging petitioners heading to Beijing to prioritize safety.
According to information shared by petitioner Mr. Wang, “On February 13, more than twenty individuals intending to reach Beijing were intercepted at Nanjing Railway Station, with only one successfully reaching Beijing. Currently, many petitioners from Nanjing are in Beijing, and some have been sent to Jiujingzhuang [a detention facility] where they refuse to come out.”
Around 5 pm on February 12, Mr. Zhang Weiming, a petitioner from Changzhou, Jiangsu, was forcibly handcuffed and taken away by Beijing police in Wangzhuang Village, Wangzuo Town, Fengtai District. Currently, after being brought back by local police to Changzhou, Zhang Weiming has been criminally detained.
Mr. Wu, another petitioner, said, “Zhang Weiming had attempted suicide by cutting his wrists at the entrance of the Ministry of Public Security’s Petition Office due to petition issues, so the circle of Jiangsu petitioners is familiar with him. What kind of injustice and darkness can push a man of imposing stature into a suicidal form of safeguarding rights? It’s truly heartbreaking and distressing!”
Information shared on human rights advocacy websites indicated that in 2004, Zhang Weiming was severely injured in an attack by dozens of members of the underworld, nearly losing his life. However, the Changzhou Public Security treated this highly criminal case as a civil dispute, with only one of the criminal elements being prosecuted, while the rest continue to evade justice. Zhang Weiming consequently began petitioning for his rights.
However, Zhang Weiming has yet to attain justice through his advocacy, facing continued tragedy. He was sentenced to prison by Beijing police for “provocation and troublemaking” and was illegally abducted by Changzhou police in 2020 while sending a letter in Beijing. He was forcefully bagged and subjected to violent beatings, resulting in eight broken ribs and severe internal injuries. The Changzhou Public Security categorized Zhang Weiming’s injuries as second-degree minor, hastily treating it as a public security case. In 2023, Zhang Weiming was viciously attacked by neighbors, sustaining severe injuries, and once again, Changzhou authorities handled the incident as a public security case.