Veteran democracy activist sentenced for third time in Gansu
Veteran democracy activist Long Kehai (龙克海) was sentenced to two and a half years on July 19 by the Hui County People’s Court for picking quarrels and provoking trouble (PQPT) — a pocket crime often used against dissidents and activists.
This is Long’s third imprisonment. In 2020, he was sentenced to one and a half years for PQPT by a court in Baoji, Shaanxi. After release, he converted to Christianity and joined the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan. In December 2022, Long was again sentenced by a court in Hui County, Gansu to two years for PQPT for expressing concern about rights lawyer Chang Weiping.
Long, undeterred by jail, continued to express dissenting views and offer support to other activists. He was detained in Hui County in March 2025 and his trial started in June. His latest sentence reportedly expires in September 2027.
Independent journalist awaiting trial for ESS
Hunan independent journalist Li Yuanfeng (李原风) is awaiting trial ten months after he was detained for PQPT in October 2024. Li was later arrested for inciting subversion, an endangering state security crime.
Li is well known for the critical comments he has posted on social media platforms and overseas websites. He is currently in custody at Yiyang No.1 Detention Center in Hunan.
Dissident author released after serving full sentence for ESS
Renowned dissent author Lü Gengsong (吕耿松) completed his sentence of 11 years for subversion, an endangering state security crime, on July 6, 2025, and was released from Zhejiang Changhu Prison. It is reported that local police arranged for Lü and his wife to stay at a farmhouse and warned his friends not to visit him. He is currently serving a deprivation of political rights (DPR) supplemental sentence.
Lü has been imprisoned twice for his key role in the China Democracy Party (CDP) — the first major opposition political party in the People’s Republic of China. Lü was a lecturer at the Zhejiang Police College and wrote several books exposing government corruption and organized criminal groups. He was first sentenced to four years with one year of DPR for inciting subversion, by the Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court in 2008.
Lü continued his activism after being released in 2011. In 2016, Lü was convicted and sentenced in a closed trial by the Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court to 11 years with five years of DPR for subversion. He was accused of organizing the Zhejiang branch of CDP. He served his jail terms in full without receiving any of clemency.
Lü will be closely monitored by police as part of the “targeted population” while serving the supplemental sentence of five years of DPR. He will likely be prohibited from speaking to foreign media and restricted from traveling.