List of Chinese dissidents


This list consists of these activists who are known as Chinese dissidents. The label is primarily applied to intellectuals who "push the boundaries" of society or criticize the policies of the government. Examples of the former include Wei Hui and Jia Pingwa, whose sexually explicit writings reflect dissent from traditional Chinese culture rather than the laws of the state.

Detained and jailed people

Many Chinese political activists have been detained or jailed or exiled for their pro-democracy or rights defending activities. They include the following notable activists.
NameOccupationDetainedAllegationsSentenceNotes
Ai Weiweiartist and activist2011alleged economic crimesFine of 2.4 million for tax evasionDetained for 80 days from April 3. to 22 June 2011
Bao Tonggovernment official1989revealing state secrets and counter-revolutionary propagandizing7 yearsSentenced 1992. Prison: 1989–1996. As of 2009, under surveillance.
Bao Zunxinhistorian1989counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement5 yearsSentenced 1991. Released 1992, died 2007.
Cai Lujunbusinessman, writer2003incitement to subversion3 yearsReleased 2006, sought political asylum in Taiwan in 2007.
Chen Pokongauthor, commentator, democracy activist1989, 1993"carrying out counter-revolutionary propaganda and incitement", illegally crossing state borders3 years, 2 yearsSentenced 1989 and 1993.
Cheng Jianpingonline activist2010disturbing social order1 yearReeducation through labor for a sarcastic post on Twitter.
Gao Zhishenglawyer~2006disturbing public order5 yrs suspendedIllegally detained and tortured in 2007; forcibly removed from family home in Shaanxi in 2009.
'Disappeared' by government in 2009, reappeared in 2010. The Chinese foreign minister claimed a prison sentence was for 'subversion'.
Guo Quanprofessor2008subversion of state power10 yearsSentenced 2009. Awaiting appeal.
He Depuwriter2002"incited subversion" on the Internet8 yearsSentenced 2003. Released 2011.
Hu Jiaactivist2007inciting subversion of state power3.5 yearsArrested, imprisoned, and sentenced in 2008. Released 2011.
Huang Qiwebmaster, anti-human trafficking activist2000inciting subversion5 yearsSentenced 2003. Accused of violating articles 103, 105, 55 and 56. Released 2005.
Huang Qiwebmaster, anti-human trafficking activist2008illegal possession of state secrets3 yearsSentenced 2009. Arrested after essay regarding the Sichuan earthquake. Released 2011.
Ilham Tohtieconomist2014inciting subversionlifeDetained in January 2014 after criticizing Beijing's response to 2013 Tiananmen Square attack.
Jiang Lijunwriter2002inciting subversion of the state power4 yearsSentenced 2003. Arrested for "Internet writing and publishing dissident articles". Also sentenced to 'deprivation of political rights' for 1 year.
Jiang Rongwriter1989Released 1991.
Jiang Yanyongdoctor2004Detained and released in 2004. Broke story on SARS epidemic. Wrote critical letter regarding Tiananmen.
Jiang Yefeipolitical cartoonist2015incitement to subversionEscaped from China to Thailand in 2004, he was granted political asylum by the Canadian Government, but was arrested by Thailand Immigration authorities on illegal entry. In November 2015 he was deported from Thailand at the request of the Chinese authorities and now awaiting trial in custody.
Li Haistudent19949 yearsSentenced in 1995. Released 2004.
Li Zhicivil servant2003inciting subversion8 yearsSentenced 2003. Yahoo! helped the government against him. Expected release in 2011.
Liao Yiwuwriter, musician1990poem "Massacre" about Tiananmen Square4 years, permanent blacklist from travelUnder a 2011 'travel ban' for 'national security' reasons.
Liu Distudent2002Released in 2003
Liu Xiaoboprofessor of literature2008inciting subversion of state power11 yearsSentenced 2009. Died July 13, 2017. Recipient of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.
Qin Yongminhuman rights activist1998
2018		inciting subversion of state power12 years
13 years		Sentenced 1998 and July 2018. Co-founder of the Democracy Party of China.
Shi Taojournalist, writer, poet2004illegally supplying state secrets to overseas organizations10 yearsSentenced 2005. Yahoo! helped the government against him. Released 2013.
Tan Zuorenwriter20083 yearsSentenced 2009.
Tan Zuorenwriter2010subversion of state power5 yearsSentenced 2010.
Tang Baiqiaoactivist1989spreading counterrevolutionary propaganda; inciting counterrevolutionary activities; defection to the enemy; treason.3 yearsReleased under international pressure 1991. Fled to Hong Kong, then U.S. 1992.
Wang Bingzhangdoctor2002spying, terrorismlifeSentenced 2003.
Wang Danprofessor of history1989Tiananmen activities4 yearsSentenced 1991. Released on parole in 1993.
Wang Danprofessor of history199511 yearsSentenced 1996. Released on medical parole to U.S. in 1998; currently in Taiwan.
Wang Quanzhanglawyer2015subversion of state power4½ yearsPut on trial in December 2018, sentenced in January 2019.
Wang Xiaoningengineer2002incitement to subvert state power10 yearsSentenced 2003. Yahoo! helped the government against him. Expected release 2012
Wang Youcai1989
Wang Youcai~1998subversion11 yearsReleased and exiled in 2004; currently in the United States.
Wei Jingshengelectrician1979passing military secrets15 yearsReleased and jailed again in 1993; released for "medical reasons" and deported to the US in 1997.
Wu Ganblogger2015subversion of state power8 years
Xu Zhiyonglawyer, lecturer2014gathering crowds to disrupt public order4 yearsFor his role of founding New Citizens' Movement and in protests.
Xu Zhangrunconstitutional lawyer and lecturer2020using prostitutesone week
Yang Jianliactivist, scholar2002alleged espionage & illegal entry5 yearsThe Chinese government placed Yang on a 1994 blacklist of 49 pro-democracy activists barred from returning to China. Yang used another person's passport to enter China in 2002.
Yuan Hongbingjurist, writer1994Detained and forced to leave China in 1994; travelled to and sought political asylum in Australia in 2004.
Yue Xinstudent activist2018unknown, likely in response to protests organized by YueunknownYue went missing in October 2018, after she and fifty other students were detained by Chinese authorities after participating in Jasic Incident. She remains missing.
Qiu Zhanxuanstudent activist2019unknown, likely because he was the leader of the Marxist student association at Peking UniversityunknownQiu was abducted on April 29, 2019 by State security agents on the outskirts of Beijing. He was the leader of the Marxist student association at the elite Peking University, a communist of conscience who defied the Communist Party of China. He remains missing.
Zeng Jinyanblogger2006suspected of harming state securityUnder house arrest with husband Hu Jia from August 2006 - March 2007; currently under house arrest again, since May 2007.
Zhao Changqingteacher of history1989Tiananmen activitiesReleased after about 1/2 year.
Zhao Changqingteacher of history1998workers rights activity3 years
Zhao Changqingteacher of history2002attempted subversion of state power5 yearsSentenced 2003.
Zhao Lianhaifood safety worker, activist2009inciting social disorder2.5 yearsSentenced 2010.

Others