NEW DELHI: Chinese #MeToo activist Huang Xueqin received a five-year prison sentence on Friday, according to a campaign group advocating for her release and court’s verdict. Labour activist Wang Jianbing, who was tried alongside Huang, got a three-year and six-month sentence.
Huang, an independent journalist and 35 years old, intends to appeal the decision, her supporters confirmed.
“(The sentence) was longer than we expected,” commented a spokesperson from the campaign group Free Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing.
“Their efforts and dedication to labour, women’s rights, and the broader civil society won’t be negated by this unjust trial, nor will society forget their contributions. On the contrary, as oppression persists and injustice grows, more activists like them will continue to rise,” stated the campaign group, predominantly composed of overseas activists, before the verdict was announced.
Who is Huang Xueqin?
Huang, a prominent feminist activist and journalist renowned for her coverage of China’s #MeToo movement and the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, was arrested alongside Wang in September 2021. This occurred just one day before Huang was set to depart for the UK to study at the University of Sussex.
The duo has been detained since then and their closed-door trial took place last year without public or media access. They denied any wrongdoing during the trial.
The charges of sedition stemmed from gatherings they organized for Chinese youth to discuss social issues, according to their advocates.
Previously, Huang reported on Chinese #MeToo cases and the 2019 Hong Kong anti-government protests. She was detained for three months by Chinese police in late 2019.
China’s crackdown on dissent
The charge “inciting subversion of state power” is commonly used by the Chinese government against dissidents. It carries a maximum prison term of five years, which can be extended if the individual is seen as a ringleader or has committed serious crimes.
Supporters mentioned that both activists were placed in solitary confinement for months.
(With agency inputs)