On September 15, 2025, Shanghai human rights activist Song Jiahong continued to collect and release the Shanghai black prison list. After being warned by the police who visited his home on September 6, he received another warning on September 11.
Around 8 a.m. on September 6, Song Jiahong was warned by police from the Songjiang Sub-bureau (badge number 04999) for “illegally providing information to foreign media.” On September 11, police visited him again to warn him not to post anything casually online.
According to information provided by Song Jiahong, at 2:14 p.m. on September 11, police officer Ping Yi (badge number 050759) from the Sheshan Police Station visited him and said, “Legally informing you, do not post things casually online.” Song Jiahong questioned, “Which content I posted is illegal? Please be specific.” However, the officer refused to provide further details. Song Jiahong emphasized the need for mutual understanding between citizens exercising their right to supervise in accordance with the constitution and police carrying out their duties.
The police also referred to the “Shanghai Black Prison List” and asked, “Have you investigated it?” Song Jiahong replied, “I have personally experienced it three times.” The police had no response to this.
Song Jiahong also mentioned that he could not find any basis in the “Police Law,” but found a provision related to police prohibited conduct, specifically related to black prisons, that prohibits “illegally depriving or restricting someone’s personal freedom.” He emphasized that police involvement in black prisons is a prohibited act that cannot be overlooked. He called for attention and study from friends on the differentiation between state secrets, trade secrets, and freedom of speech, stating that the latter is not restricted by boundaries.
Due to his longstanding focus on suppressed and persecuted petitioners, Song Jiahong is highly respected in the Shanghai petitioner community, referred to as “Teacher Song” by many. Since last year, he has been collecting and investigating data on petitioners detained in black prisons and publishing it online, facing frequent pressure from the authorities. Petitioners have expressed their support and concern over his situation.
Shanghai petitioner Tingting stated, “I have been a victim detained in black prisons multiple times. I have evidence from the Yangpu Sub-bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau to prove the existence of black prisons. Officer Ping Yi from the Sheshan Police Station, do you want to see the evidence regarding this person? Or do you consider those who have been detained in black prisons innocent? Do you think those detained in black prisons are guilty when they speak out?”
Shanghai petitioner Ding Deyuan remarked, “The police once again legally informed Song Jiahong not to post things casually online. It is perplexing that this police officer is informing the public about the law, but does he understand the law himself? If it does not involve national secrets or commercial secrets and is a factual matter, why can’t it be posted? Perhaps the police consider the fact of the ‘Shanghai Black Prison’ as a national secret that cannot be disclosed? The behavior of the police in informing Song Jiahong legally leads me to speculate that ‘perhaps the law of the Chinese Communist Party allows only officials to commit evil deeds, but not victims to speak out about the wrongdoing of officials?’ I believe this is one of the reasons why petitioners and those seeking justice have difficulty in safeguarding their rights.”
A netizen, “Grateful Universe,” commented, “The uniform of this (police) represents protecting the lives and property of the people by the state, not using attire and power to override the law to deal with law-abiding citizens!”
Many petitioners have expressed “special attention” and “respect for those who pursue the truth”!