In a report from May 28, 2025, Chinese veteran media figure Cai Shenkun, who resides in the United States, has faced repeated threats and intimidation against his domestic relatives by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) police due to his frequent commentary on sensitive topics related to the CCP. Yesterday, on May 27, he revealed that the CCP authorities once again summoned his family, issuing explicit threats and warnings, which have also put pressure on him. However, he stated that he will continue to speak out.
Cai Shenkun stated in a self-media program on the 27th that CCP authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation into his past work, places he has lived, and people he has been in contact with. During this period, as he has been discussing topics related to senior officials in Beijing more frequently, revealing little-known events or impending developments in the political sphere, he plays the role of a self-media person and an independent commentator, informing the audience.
On May 6th of this year, Cai Shenkun cited information from Beijing on his self-media platform, stating that major changes are expected at the upcoming fourth plenary session of the CCP. Given the current international situation, domestic economic conditions, and Xi Jinping’s health issues, coupled with the older generation of CCP leaders becoming increasingly dissatisfied, they are collectively pressuring Xi Jinping, with significant personnel changes expected at the fourth plenary session.
According to Cai Shenkun’s latest disclosure, on May 26th this year, the police in Haikou once again summoned his family, issuing clear threats and warnings: “Considering that I (Cai Shenkun) continue to speak out on overseas platforms, my remarks are deemed to endanger national security, incite subversion of state power, and it has been announced that my properties and assets will be frozen under my name. If there is no repentance, a formal lawsuit will be filed against me.”
The authorities also mentioned that Cai Shenkun’s YouTube channel has gathered 110,000 followers. While they usually ignore complaints made overseas, they are taking action now because Cai Shenkun persistently “attacks and defames the CCP and national leaders” through his platform.
Cai Shenkun noted that he only started his YouTube channel in February of last year, with most of his programs having only a few thousand viewers, indicating a very limited influence. However, he was surprised that the CCP authorities put so much effort into conducting a nationwide comprehensive investigation on him, directing online trolls to launch smear campaigns against him on overseas platforms.
“It seems that the relevant departments are extremely jumpy these days, blowing things out of proportion at the slightest issue. Previously, it might have been just the public security system handling matters, but now national security is also involved, with internal power struggles and fights for dominance,” he remarked.
Despite the threats from the CCP, Cai Shenkun remains unfazed. He asserted that since he has chosen to speak out publicly, he will deal with whatever consequences come his way.
In fact, since last year, CCP authorities have been meeting with Cai Shenkun’s family, issuing numerous warnings, including restricting his siblings’ children from leaving the country or participating in civil servant exams, among other measures.
On December 14th last year, Cai Shenkun posted on X, “Employees from a company in Guangzhou informed me that police officers and plainclothes agents visited the company to inquire about its operations over the past 12 years, as well as asking about my background, the companies I interacted with during my trips abroad, and the relatives and friends who had visited me.”
At that time, Cai Shenkun mentioned that he had considered shutting down the company, but since the remaining staff were all long-time employees of 12 years and he hadn’t found a better alternative, he kept it running. A few years ago, he transferred the technical team to a tech company for free, retaining only administrative and sales staff, who have been with him till now.
“Despite facing repeated threats for speaking out, the grassroots are also under immense pressure. While it’s not easy for them to fabricate materials to defame me based on my business operations, I know what the most taboo and intolerable aspect in China is criticizing its leaders. I have been warned several times not to comment on Xi Jinping while overseas,” he added.
Following Cai Shenkun’s report of renewed threats on May 27th, former Shenzhen lawyer Zhou Junhong suggested, “Ensure that family members promptly gather evidence, including phone recordings, text communications, on-site videos, etc. Once the evidence is sufficient, keep exposing it. At that time, considering taking the matter to the United Nations to sue the Communist Party.”
Some netizens also commented, “Can a few words really subvert state power? The Communist Party seems fragile.” “I have only participated in a few pro-democracy events and gave one interview, yet I’m already being monitored by state security and approached about my family members in China.” “Keep going, stay strong.”