Chinese Bloggers Warn Followers to Unfollow Amid Police Surveillance

Two Chinese bloggers living in exile have urged their followers in China to unfollow them, citing police surveillance and individual scrutiny by authorities.

Dissident Warnings

Wang Zhi’an, a former state broadcaster, and Li Ying, an artist, separately issued warnings to their followers on Sunday, cautioning them about the ongoing police checks and interrogations targeting individuals.

Wang Zhi’an’s Appeal

Wang, known for his work as a reporter for China Central Television and The Beijing News, advised his followers in China to consider unfollowing him on social media platforms due to concerns about police scrutiny. Fearing arrest, Wang fled to Japan in 2020 after falling out of favor with the Chinese government.

Li Ying’s Urgent Notice

Li, also known as Teacher Li, gained prominence for his coverage of the White Paper Protests during the 2022 COVID-19 lockdowns in mainland China. Currently residing in Italy, Li issued an “urgent” notice on social media, urging followers who feel threatened to unfollow him. He expressed alarm over the public security bureau’s scrutiny of his followers and commenters, emphasizing the need for caution.

Police Surveillance

Li shared screenshots of private messages from followers reporting police interrogations and repercussions, such as job loss, raising concerns about the extent of police surveillance and its impact on individuals.

Online Censorship and Surveillance

While platforms like X and YouTube are inaccessible in China, the “Great Firewall” can often be bypassed with VPN services. However, Chinese authorities continue to monitor dissidents both domestically and abroad, as evidenced by leaked documents from a Chinese cybersecurity firm detailing efforts to control political dissent.

Conclusion

The appeals from Wang Zhi’an and Li Ying shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by dissidents and activists in China, where government surveillance and censorship remain pervasive. Their warnings underscore the importance of digital security and the need for vigilance in the face of state scrutiny.