Recently, Shanghai petitioner Yang Xiuting, who has long been subjected to violence and control, applied to the Pudong Sub-bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau for the right to carry controlled knives for self-defense. However, her request was rejected, although the black security guard squatting in her residential area has already withdrawn.
In her application, Yang Xiuting stated that her legal property had been illegally demolished, and she had been unsuccessful in seeking justice for 13 years. From July 9, 2025, to November 1 of the same year, unidentified individuals had organized threats against her, lurking around her residence, taking photos, and harassing her family.
The application indicated that they had called the police three times and reported dozens of times to the Shanghai 12345 hotline online, demanding verification of the identity and employer information of these people, but received evasive and confusing responses. The said individuals are still active around the residential area, posing a danger to the applicant and her family. To prevent future unlawful harm, according to relevant laws such as the Police Law, Criminal Law, and Controlled Knives Identification Standards, the application was made to carry controlled knives in accordance with regulations for self-protection in emergencies.
The application also mentioned that despite multiple reports and complaints, the infringement had not been effectively stopped, leaving the applicant in a state of “helplessness and continued danger.” In order to prevent serious harm to the applicant and her family members, it was proposed to carry a non-sharp craft knife that meets the criteria of the Controlled Knives Identification Standards, only to be used for legitimate defense in situations of imminent personal threat.
Regarding Yang Xiuting’s application, a police officer from the Pudong Sub-bureau (badge number 012735) responded via text message on November 12, stating that the application lacked legal basis and might involve criminal activities, instructing her to address her demands to relevant government departments.
In response, Yang Xiuting stated that a written reply from the Pudong Sub-bureau was necessary, and if no response was received within 15 days, it would be considered as approval of her application.
Although Yang Xiuting’s application to carry knives for self-defense was not granted, the black security guard who had been lurking in her residential area had already withdrawn on November 11.
Over the years, Yang Xiuting has faced brutal control due to her petitioning activities. The black security guards arranged by the authorities had repeatedly blocked her on the streets and within the residential area, and had even kidnapped her, illegally detained her, physically assaulted her, poisoned her food, injected her with toxins, and subjected her to other forms of harm, all without any successful intervention despite her repeated calls for help.
Yang Xiuting told a reporter that many Shanghai petitioners had died in black prisons, including recently Guishan Hong from Huangpu District and Zhu Xi from Bansongyuan Street in Huangpu District. Earlier, Zhou Jingzhi from Putuo District had been injected with toxins in a black prison, and soon after returning home, had died. Visiting petitioner Xu Jianming from Jinshan District had his intestines damaged shortly after leaving the black prison.
“I have also personally experienced being poisoned through food. All the boxed meals were identical, but I was only allowed to eat from the first one. When I opened the others, the black security guards would snatch them away to prevent me from eating. After only four meals, I realized I had been poisoned and dared not take another bite of food or a sip of water, losing nearly 20 teeth in just half a month,” she said.
Yang Xiuting also shared, “I have been tied up and injected with toxins, causing unbearable itching and skin abrasion all over my body. My hands were tied backward, my feet bound, then my hands and feet were forcibly pulled together and tied, with the security guards sitting on me, one hand pulling my hair, the other slapping me. When one person got tired, another took over, knocking out six teeth. My hands and feet were bleeding from the forced binding, all documented in medical examination reports.”
After much consideration, Yang Xiuting decided to send applications for carrying controlled knives for self-defense to both the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau and the Pudong Sub-bureau on November 1st, 2025.
The prevalence of black prisons in Shanghai has become a nightmare for petitioners. Recently, petitioner Liu Dongbao was held in a black prison for 92 days, rendering him unable to walk due to the torture on his legs. The authorities have not accepted his complaints, and similar incidents continue to occur, leaving petitioners with no way to seek help. Yang Xiuting’s courage in applying to carry knives for self-defense has garnered praise and support from many other petitioners.