Journalist Huang Xueqin, convicted of state subversion, plans to appeal her sentence.
Huang Xueqin, a prominent Chinese #MeToo activist and independent journalist, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of state subversion. The verdict was handed down on June 14, 2024, in a court in Guangzhou, southern China. Huang, 35, who has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and labor issues, plans to appeal the sentence, according to supporters of her campaign.
Alongside Huang, labor activist Wang Jianbing, 40, also stood trial and was sentenced to three years and six months in prison. Both Huang and Wang were arrested in September 2021 and had been detained without trial for nearly two years before their trial took place. The closed-door proceedings were criticized for lack of transparency, and both activists denied any charges against them.
A spokesperson from the Free Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing campaign expressed surprise at the severity of the sentences, calling it “completely unnecessary” and a blow to the fight for freedom of expression in China. The group voiced strong support for Huang’s decision to appeal the ruling. As of now, it remains unclear whether Wang Jianbing will also seek an appeal.
The case has drawn widespread attention from human rights organizations and international communities, with many condemning the Chinese government for its crackdown on activists and journalists. Huang’s sentencing is seen as part of a broader pattern of suppressing dissent and limiting activism within China, especially related to sensitive topics such as gender equality and labor rights.
