Human rights groups have raised serious concerns after Chinese authorities detained two investigative journalists who reportedly uncovered corruption involving a local official in Sichuan province.
The journalists, Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao, were taken into custody on Sunday shortly after publishing their investigation, according to rights organizations and activist groups.
Journalists Detained After Publishing Corruption Claims
Liu Hu, a well known investigative reporter, and his colleague Wu Yingjiao released a report that accused a county level official of abuse of power. The report claimed that the official’s actions forced several businesses into bankruptcy.
Soon after the story appeared online, police detained both journalists. The report later disappeared from the Chinese social media platform WeChat.
Police Accusations and Official Response
Chengdu police confirmed on Monday that two men, identified by the surnames Liu and Wu and aged 50 and 34, are under investigation. Authorities accused them of making false accusations and running illegal business activities.
When asked about the arrests, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that local authorities had already shared details of the case. The spokesperson added that China follows the rule of law and treats everyone equally under the legal system.
Background of Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao
Liu Hu has a long history of investigative reporting in China. In 2013, authorities arrested him after he accused a senior official of corruption. He was released in 2014 and continued publishing investigations through social media platforms.
Wu Yingjiao often worked alongside Liu. He regularly contributed to a public WeChat account where Liu and other journalists shared their reports.
Timeline of the Detentions
According to Chinese Human Rights Defenders, Liu planned to travel from Chongqing to Beijing on Sunday when he suddenly went missing. On the same day, police detained Wu Yingjiao in Hebei province.
Before his arrest, Liu shared screenshots on WeChat showing messages from a Chengdu disciplinary official. The messages urged him to contact authorities instead of releasing reports publicly.
Growing Concerns Over Media Freedom in China
Rights groups say the detentions reflect a wider crackdown on independent journalism in China. Reporters Without Borders stated that more than 120 journalists are currently detained in the country.
RSF advocacy manager Aleksandra Bielakowska said the arrests show how hostile the environment has become for investigative reporting. She urged the international community to increase pressure on Chinese authorities rather than normalize relations that allow repression to continue.
China remains the world’s largest jailer of journalists, according to RSF.
