China: After 700 Days in Detention Trial Against Journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin Commences

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns prolonged trial, demands the journalist's immediate release and acquittal 

Location: China, Guangzhou
Date: September 22, 2023

The long-awaited trial against journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin — charged with subversion and facing up to 15 years in prison — commenced almost two years after she was detained. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in complete solidarity with Sophia Huang Xueqin, expressing our unwavering support. We strongly condemn the journalist's unjustifiable and prolonged detention and demand her immediate release and unconditional acquittal.

Under heavy guard, Sophia Huang Xueqin, a critical voice in China's MeToo movement, appeared in court on Friday in Guangzhou over 700 days after her initial detention. Xueqin is facing charges of subversion and potentially a prison sentence of up to 15 years if found guilty.

Xueqin, a freelance journalist, played a significant role in the MeToo movement in China. In 2018, she became a prominent figure by assisting a graduate student in publicly exposing accusations against her Ph.D. supervisor, which marked the first #MeToo case in the country. She also wrote about her encounters with workplace sexual harassment during her time at a Chinese news agency.

In 2021, CFWIJ documented that Xueqin was reported missing on September 19. Despite efforts to trace her whereabouts, she remained unaccounted for. The journalist had intended to travel from Guangzhou to London via Hong Kong to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Sussex. Given these circumstances, concerns arose regarding the possibility of her arrest by Chinese authorities, which were later confirmed. 

During Friday's hearing, heavy security measures were observed, with authorities erecting a fence around the courthouse, as reported by a spokesperson from a group advocating for Xueqin's freedom.

“These baseless charges are motivated purely by the Chinese authorities' relentless determination to crush critical voices,” says Amnesty International's Asia deputy regional director Sarah Brooks. 

During the initial period of her detention, Xueqin was placed in solitary confinement for five months without any access to legal representation. She endured numerous interrogations, often conducted during the night. Consequently, she lost significant weight and her menstruation has stopped.

She also suffers from severe calcium deficiency, hypoglycemia, and low blood pressure. Her friends have reported stabbing pains in her waist, which are believed to have resulted from the prolonged interrogations while restrained in the infamous "tiger chair," a torture device commonly used by Chinese authorities.

Sophia Huang Xueqin has an extensive background as an investigative reporter, having worked for the New Express and the Southern Capital Weekly. Throughout her career, she has provided assistance to numerous survivors of sexual harassment, actively supporting them in their pursuit of justice. Her advocacy work gained widespread recognition in 2018 when she stood by a plaintiff in a high-profile sexual harassment case against a university professor, becoming a prominent feminist icon. Huang published a comprehensive survey report focusing on the experiences of women journalists who have faced sexual assault and harassment. In 2019, she was detained by the Guangzhou police on allegations of involvement in anti-government protests. After three months, she was released.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses its unwavering support for Sophia Huang Xueqin. We strongly condemn the relentless legal harassment, prolonged detention, ill-treatment, and unjust trial she endured simply for fulfilling her journalistic duties. We urgently call upon the Chinese government to drop all charges against the journalist and grant her an unconditional acquittal.

The Chinese regime's mistreatment and torture of Sophia Huang Xueqin is an apparent attempt to establish a precedent and silence any remaining independent voices within the country. This oppressive action is an infringement on the journalist's rights and a broader attack on freedom of expression and press freedom in China. The international community must condemn such actions and advocate for the protection of journalists and their essential work.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.