In recent months, former Chinese investigative journalist Deng Fei has faced two consecutive instances of being banned from speaking—first for 90 days and then for 15 days. Recently, the latest ban on his speech was lifted.
On February 2nd, Deng Fei posted on Weibo revealing, “The 15-day ban on speaking has just ended. In the last moments of Lunar New Year’s Eve, I wish everyone a Happy New Year.”
Deng Fei expressed that his Weibo account had been banned for 90 days and then 15 days in succession, without knowing the reason for the bans. He questioned whether it was because he didn’t support stock purchases, or voiced concerns about centralized drug procurement. He asserted that as a citizen, he had the right to be concerned about public issues, and based on the constitution, he would express his opinions because they are relevant to him and all of us.
Deng Fei directly stated, “If we ourselves don’t care about our own country and its affairs, then who will? If we don’t speak up, who will? If we don’t change, who will change?
We are all human beings, with flesh and blood and families. We have to live here, and our families and children have to live here too. We need to be responsible for ourselves, our families, and our children. The children are watching us, and history is watching us.”
In conclusion, Deng Fei expressed gratitude to his over 5.44 million followers who have been concerned about him, “Wishing everyone a new year without fear or impatience, taking care of your health and your family. Though the mountains are high and the waters are far, we’ll continue to journey together.”
Comments from the followers included: “He cares about people’s livelihoods, empathizes with public sentiment, and speaks up for the vulnerable!” “We are always here, though the road is long, we will reach our destination.” “Mouths can’t be silenced.” “Welcome back, Happy New Year, keep speaking up and never be silent!” “Bloggers who have never been banned are not truly public welfare bloggers. Seeing a whale fill the sea, its merit is felt today; the Foolish Old Man who moved mountains, his benefits enduring for a thousand autumns!” “There is a kind of voice they hate the most, yet it is the one that most people are willing to listen to.”
“Happy New Year, Fei Ge! I hope original drugs won’t become luxury items for ordinary people.” Deng Fei replied, “Pay attention to what kind of drugs are used in the high-ranking officials’ hospital wards in various provinces. If they don’t use sleeping pills, blood pressure-lowering drugs, or laxatives, then I’ll accept it.”
This year, the issue of centralized drug procurement has sparked nationwide attention.
During the early 2025 Shanghai Two Sessions, 20 members of the Shanghai Medical Community’s Political Consultative Conference jointly submitted a proposal titled “How to Use Effective Medicines under the Background of Drug Centralized Procurement.”
The primary author of the proposal, Zheng Minhua, Chief of General Surgery at Ruijin Hospital, raised a crucial issue in an interview with the media, stating that “Centralized drug procurement has indeed lowered prices, but it has brought about unstable drug quality issues, simply put as ‘sleeping pills don’t make you sleep, blood pressure medications don’t lower blood pressure, and laxatives don’t produce the intended effect.'”
Zheng Minhua urged for the protection of patients’ rights to choose their medication and the enhancement of the current centralized procurement mechanism. This discussion on the pros and cons of centralized drug procurement initiated by clinical doctors has gained significant attention online, with netizens praising Zheng Minhua as the “whistleblower” on the issue of centralized drug procurement.
Lu Changlin, Director of Cardiology at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, also submitted a proposal, asserting that the effectiveness of centrally procured drugs is lacking. He called for increased post-market monitoring of drugs, stating that doctors and patients should not be forced to use centrally procured drugs.
On January 18th, Deng Fei reposted the words of Zheng Minhua in an interview and expressed that the situation raised by Zheng Minhua should receive widespread attention.
On the same day, Deng Fei also shared Lu Changlin’s suggestions for optimizing drug centralized procurement on Weibo.