The Great Translation Movement that emerged in 2022 has sparked a wave of translation activities covering a wide range of content, including the verbatim presentation of anti-human speech from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Over the past two years, this movement has faced continuous suppression and persecution from the CCP. The latest reports indicate that over 40 mainland Chinese volunteers involved in the movement have been arrested, with one editor from Hong Kong currently seeking asylum in the United States.
Tam, from Hong Kong, is an editor for the official account of the Great Translation Movement. According to Tam, he was not one of the founders of the movement but was inspired by the spirit of dedication to join as a volunteer in the early stages.
In 2022, during the first week of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Great Translation Movement mobilized people to donate to Ukraine. Tam was moved by their dedication to freedom. He recalled, “In March 2022, during the first week of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Great Translation Movement had already called on people to donate to Ukraine. We were touched by their dedication to freedom.”
The movement, initiated by a group of primarily post-2000s Chinese netizens, translates CCP official media and nationalist comments into languages such as English. The movement’s logo combines the ChonglangTV logo of the Reddit subreddit that initiated the Great Translation Movement with the Ukrainian flag, representing the reasons for launching the movement.
Because the Great Translation Movement is decentralized, the identities of its founders are completely confidential, with high levels of secrecy among members. Following an incident in mid-2022 where some active members on Telegram were arrested, the movement developed its own specialized software for communication.
In August 2022, Bitter Winter magazine published an article titled “The Great Crackdown on the Great Translation Movement,” which highlighted the CCP’s crackdown on over 40 netizens involved in the translation movement in June 2022.
Tam, who was still in university at the time, was responsible for collecting screenshots of mainstream opinions in China, providing translations, and reaching out to dissenters to assist in translations and promotions.
The movement initially translated Chinese internet discussions surrounding topics like “welcoming, importing, and sheltering Ukrainian beauties” after the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted, as well as news about the China-Europe freight train carrying goods from Xianning to Moscow. They also translated CCP claims that the Sino-British Joint Declaration was an outdated and invalid document and disparaging remarks from Chinese state media about the United States.
The Great Translation Movement faced fierce criticism and attention from CCP official media, with accusations of being a “thief” and attempting to “smear China.” The movement’s official Twitter account was repeatedly restricted.
After foreign media reported on discussions about “welcoming Ukrainian beauties” and “capturing Ukrainian beauties,” Chinese internet platforms began censoring and restricting hate speech content.
Tam emphasized that the core philosophy of the Great Translation Movement is to raise international awareness about the crises posed by the Chinese (CCP) government. The movement has limited resources and relies on many volunteers. Tam expressed a desire for transition and expansion in the future.
In March 2024, the “National Security Maintenance Law” under Article 23 of the Basic Law in Hong Kong took effect. Due to the intensified crackdown on online dissenters by the Hong Kong government, Tam feared increased repression and decided to flee Hong Kong.
On March 29, Tam flew directly from Hong Kong to San Francisco and immediately sought asylum upon arrival at the airport. After being questioned by customs and the Department of Homeland Security for about two hours, he was transferred to the Golden State Annex Immigration Detention Center in Los Angeles, where he is currently unable to communicate with the outside world except by phone. He is scheduled for a court hearing in June and is seeking legal representation and a bond sponsor. He fears imprisonment, torture, and sexual abuse if deported back, and seeks international assistance.
In prison, Tam feels pessimistic, stating, “I have been involved in the Great Translation Movement since 2022, but found that it has not had much impact. Hong Kong and mainland China still arrest people, and speaking out can lead to arrests.”
According to public reports, Huang Hin-Tsung, a 40-year-old Portuguese music teacher with ties to Hong Kong, was arrested in 2022 when he returned from the UK to visit family. He was sentenced to five years in prison for “conspiring to incite others to secede from the country.”
Easily Broken, a Hong Kong native, expressed to reporters that despite the Hong Kong government claiming that national security laws only affect a few people, Article 23’s broad scope and severe penalties are evidence of the government’s intolerance toward any anti-CCP sentiments.
Easily Broken stated that Tam had reached out to him via Telegram and the official Great Translation Movement account to translate speeches made at a rally outside the Chinese consulate in support of the Demolish the Wall movement anniversary.
Easily Broken believes that the Great Translation Movement holds significant influence. With a shortage of manpower in the movement, he emphasized the need to prevent volunteers from freezing due to inaction.
Aaron, a coordinator for the translation movement in Sydney, Australia, joined the movement in 2023. He views the Great Translation Movement as a valuable initiative that exposes the true nature of the CCP to the world, preventing the government from excessively promoting nationalism.
Aaron, who met Tam in the core group of the translation movement, praised Tam’s activism. He expressed concern over the treatment Tam received, noting that despite seeking refuge in the US to avoid persecution and pursue freedom, Tam now finds himself detained in an American prison without a phone and stripped of freedom.