Group of Chevening scholars call on China to release detained #MeToo, labour activists

Sophia Huang, who was awarded the UK scholarship, and her friend Wang Jianbing were arrested three months ago on suspicion of ‘inciting subversion of state power’

A statement from more than 110 Chevening alumni urges the authorities to ‘immediately disclose their whereabouts’ and unconditionally release the pair

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Sophia Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing were detained in Guangzhou three months ago. Photos: Handout

Published: 5:27pm, 9 Dec 2021

More than 110 alumni of the British Chevening Scholarship have urged Beijing to unconditionally release detained Chinese activists Sophia Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing.

Huang, an independent journalist known for her #MeToo activism, was awarded the prestigious scholarship and planned to start a master’s degree at the University of Sussex before she was detained three months ago in the southern city of Guangzhou. Her friend Wang, a labour activist, was also taken into custody.

In a joint statement, the scholars also asked the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which funds the scholarship, to begin a dialogue with the Chinese authorities about the pair and for the Chevening leadership team to stand with the alumni in calling for their release.

“We express our utmost concern over the arbitrary arrest and detention of Chevenor Huang Xueqin as it seems to be only aimed at punishing her and her fellow for their legitimate human rights [activism],” said the statement, which was released on Thursday by the concern group Free Xueqin & Jianbing.

“We urge the Chinese authorities to immediately disclose their whereabouts and unconditionally release Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing.”

The 112 Chevening scholars and alumni who signed the open statement came from more than 40 countries including Brazil, Pakistan and South Africa, and nine were from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

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