The Chinese government’s intensifying crackdown on dissent is extending beyond its borders, raising concerns about the safety of activists and dissidents even when abroad. This comes as reports emerge of continued arbitrary detention and the potential sentencing of individuals critical of the ruling Communist Party, including those advocating for greater rights for ethnic minorities.
On , the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders issued an urgent appeal regarding the case of Ms. Zhang Yadi, a young student and human rights defender affiliated with Chinese Youth Stand for Tibet. Ms. Zhang was arrested by State Security Bureau officers on , while visiting family in Changsha, Hunan Province. She has reportedly been held incommunicado since her arrest, with no access to family or legal counsel. Authorities have allegedly charged her under Article 103(2) of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China, which criminalizes “inciting separatism” and “endangering national security,” a charge that could carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The case of Ms. Zhang highlights a broader trend of repression targeting individuals who challenge the government’s narrative, particularly concerning Tibet and other sensitive issues. Her advocacy for dialogue between Chinese and Tibetan communities and her opposition to discriminatory policies have apparently drawn the ire of state security forces.
This crackdown isn’t limited to those within China’s borders. The increasing reach of Chinese security agencies is causing alarm among exiled communities and human rights organizations. While details remain fragmented, reports suggest a pattern of surveillance, intimidation and even attempts to forcibly return dissidents from other countries.
The situation in Xinjiang, a region in northwest China, remains particularly acute. A report from The New Yorker detailed the mass detention of Uighurs, Kazakhs, and other predominantly Muslim minorities in what authorities termed “re-education centers.” While officials claimed in 2019 that detainees had “graduated” from these camps, evidence suggests many were subsequently sentenced to lengthy prison terms or subjected to forced labor. This represents, according to the report, likely the largest internment of ethnic and religious minorities since the Second World War.
The scale of the repression in Xinjiang, and the broader crackdown on dissent across China, has prompted international condemnation. However, Beijing has consistently defended its policies as necessary to combat extremism and maintain social stability. The government views criticism of its actions as interference in its internal affairs.
The case of Ai Weiwei, the internationally renowned artist and outspoken critic of the Chinese government, offers a stark illustration of the risks faced by those who dare to challenge the regime. According to a recent interview with The Guardian, published on , Ai Weiwei recently returned to China for the first time in over a decade to visit his elderly mother. He described weighing the risks carefully before making the trip, recalling a period of several months in detention where captors warned him he would spend 13 years in prison on fabricated charges. “They said, ‘When you come out, your son won’t recognise you,’” Ai Weiwei recounted, describing the emotional weight of that threat.
Despite the potential dangers, Ai Weiwei ultimately decided to return, accompanied by his 17-year-old son, who had never met his grandmother. He stated that he felt entitled to visit his mother as a Chinese citizen with a Chinese passport. His decision underscores the complex personal calculations faced by dissidents and their families.
The artist’s experience also highlights the evolving nature of control in China. While traditional methods of repression, such as imprisonment and surveillance, remain prevalent, the government is increasingly employing sophisticated technologies, including artificial intelligence, to monitor and control its population. Ai Weiwei’s recent work focuses on the dangers of surveillance and state control, reflecting a growing concern about the erosion of privacy and freedom in the digital age.
Human Rights Watch reported on that the Chinese government intensified its repression throughout 2025, and that this repression is extending abroad. The report details a pattern of harassment and intimidation targeting individuals and families overseas, aimed at silencing dissent and discouraging criticism of the government.
The disappearance of human rights lawyers, a phenomenon that began to escalate in 2015, remains a troubling aspect of this crackdown. CNN reported in that forced disappearances of lawyers were rare before that year, but became increasingly common as the government sought to suppress legal challenges to its authority.
The international community faces a growing challenge in responding to China’s expanding repression. Balancing the need to engage with China on issues of global importance, such as climate change and trade, with the imperative to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms is a delicate task. The cases of Ms. Zhang Yadi and others demonstrate the urgent need for greater scrutiny of China’s human rights record and stronger international pressure to end the crackdown on dissent.
