China
The Chinese government is the world’s leading jailer of writers and public intellectuals. Writers, journalists, bloggers, and creative artists face censorship, harassment, imprisonment, and enforced disappearance because of their writing or creative expression.
The extensive crackdown on freedom of expression includes the crushing of civil and political rights in Hong Kong and attempts to erase the culture and language of Mongolians, Uyghurs, Tibetans, and other ethnic minorities living in China and its autonomous regions, elevating to potential crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.
What You Need to Know
More than 100 writers are currently behind bars on politicized charges in China. The majority were jailed for online expression that was critical of official policies or expressed pro-democracy viewpoints.
China’s technological and legal infrastructure enables the government to censor, monitor, and control all digital information that flows within, and into and out of the country, especially in autonomous regions.
The Chinese government has expanded its censorship apparatus overseas to try and limit expression about China beyond its borders, engaging in transnational repression against exiles and the diaspora.
News
Individual Cases
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Status: Deceased
Veteran writer Tie has been targeted by the Chinese government for decades. For his criticism of former Chairman Mao Zedong online and for undisclosed reasons, Tie has been in and out of detention since 2014. In March 2019, he was…
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Status: Imprisoned
Chinese-born Kazakh translator and musician Dilshat Oralbai has translated 15 literary books, including The Russian Character by Tolstoy, stories, and TV series from Chinese to Kazakh. In May 2018, he was arrested upon his return to Xinjiang on unknown charges…
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Status: Recorded Harassment
In March 2018, Church’s invitation to a literary festival in Macau was revoked after authorities said that his appearance there would be “untimely.” James Church is the pseudonym used by a former CIA agent who has written a series of…
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Reports & Research
Addressing Beijing’s assault on free expression and defending human rights standards globally is a key priority.
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“Save Our Mother Tongue”
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Writing on the Wall
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Made in Hollywood, Censored by Beijing
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Forbidden Feeds
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Splintered Speech
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Darkened Screen
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Censorship and Conscience
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Threatened Harbor
PEN America Experts
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Erika Nguyen
Erika Nguyen is a senior manager in the PEN/Barbey Freedom…