Beijing
This week, Chinese authorities severed all internet, landline, and cellular connections for independent journalist Gao Yu, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The action followed her publication of an article analyzing an interview with Victor Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization.
Iris Hsu, CPJ’s China representative, criticized the move and called for the restoration of Gao Yu’s communication services. Hsu condemned the harassment and digital surveillance, stating that Beijing’s actions reflect insecurity and fear of critical reporting.
Gao Yu reported that authorities have long pressured her to close her X account, linking her online activity to the disruption of her communications. She now relies on internet access from friends or public places.
The CPJ also noted that Beijing police instructed Gao to leave the capital from August 29 to September 9, coinciding with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. When she refused, police threatened to monitor her home continuously to prevent her departure.
Gao Yu has faced previous legal issues, including a six-year prison sentence in 1994 for ‘leaking state secrets,’ and a seven-year sentence in 2015, later reduced due to health concerns. China’s treatment of journalists includes arbitrary detentions, extensive surveillance, harsh penalties, and intimidation.
