Recent Articles from Chen Guangcheng:
The 709 Crackdown Was the CCP’s Declaration of War on Modern Political Civilization
By Chen Guancheng Ten years have passed since the “709 Crackdown.” This term refers to a nationwide assault, orchestrated under the direct command of the
Chen Guangcheng: Commemorating Tiananmen and Considering the End of CCP Rule
On June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sent tanks and machine guns into the streets of Beijing to massacre students and citizens who
Comment on the CCP’s Forum for Private Entrepreneurs
By Chen Guancheng On the morning of February 17, 2025, the Chinese Communist Party held a high-level “Private Entrepreneurs Forum” at the Great Hall of
Recent Articles from Chen Guangcheng
The 709 Crackdown Was the CCP’s Declaration of War on Modern Political Civilization
By Chen Guancheng Ten years have passed since the “709 Crackdown.” This term refers to a nationwide assault, orchestrated under the direct command of the CCP Central Committee, that aimed to
Chen Guangcheng: Commemorating Tiananmen and Considering the End of CCP Rule
On June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sent tanks and machine guns into the streets of Beijing to massacre students and citizens who had gathered peacefully to call for an end to official corruption and profiteering. They demanded constitutional government, democracy, and freedom. Thirty-six years have passed since that horrific crackdown on the Tiananmen pro-democracy movement.
And yet, the people living under CCP rule still seem to be caught in a kind of curse—struggling beneath the weight of tyranny, unable to break free from the chains of authoritarianism.
Comment on the CCP’s Forum for Private Entrepreneurs
By Chen Guancheng On the morning of February 17, 2025, the Chinese Communist Party held a high-level “Private Entrepreneurs Forum” at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, attended
Hong Kong: from Political Haven to Fishing Village
By Chen Guangcheng
“In the twenty-four years that Hong Kong has been returned to the Beijing authorities, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has succeeded in tearing apart the rule of law and freedoms that the British government spent nearly a century building up. This was made blatantly clear in the recent political judgment against forty-seven activists, politicians, and journalists, many of whom—such as democracy activist Joshua Wong and media tycoon Jimmy Lai—are internationally renowned…” Continue Reading
Zhulian: Implication by Relation
By Chen Guangcheng
“In an era of high-tech cyber surveillance, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) still relies on a technique that goes back thousands of years: zhulian, or strong-arming opponents by punishing their families. Families of dissidents and activists can almost count on being singled out and harassed for simply being related or married to a regime critic. Sometimes the results are fatal.” Continue Reading
China's Investment Trap
By Chen Guangcheng
“Under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) there is no rule of law. Executives of foreign corporations and investment firms that invest in China must know this fact. Yet so many have taken the risk, enticed by profits and confident they can stay in the good graces of the ruling dictatorship. But how safe are investments in China? At what point will foreign corporate leaders realize they have fallen into a trap?” Continue Reading
The People Stand Up Against the Chinese Communist Party
Written by Distinguished Fellow Chen Guangcheng for the Wall Street Journal:
“The Chinese Communist Party’s zero-Covid policy isn’t about controlling the virus. It’s about controlling the Chinese people. The white-paper or A4 protests, in which people hold up blank pages, became a visible expression of anger. The communist government announced some changes this past few days, including looser testing and dropping the mandatory Covid surveillance app on cellphones. But changes in the government’s Covid policy won’t eliminate the people’s rage.” Continue Reading
As the Rule of Law Disappears, So Do Chinese Dissidents
Written by Distinguished Fellow Chen Guangcheng for the Epoch Times:
“In early March, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “Two Sessions” began, during which time top officials of the CCP met to discuss policy. This year, as expected, Xi Jinping was anointed for a third term as Party chief.” Continue Reading
Coming Out of the Two Sessions, the CCP Cares for Only One Thing—Itself
Written by Distinguished Fellow Chen Guangcheng for the Epoch Times:
“In early March, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “Two Sessions” began, during which time top officials of the CCP met to discuss policy. This year, as expected, Xi Jinping was anointed for a third term as Party chief.
Concurrent with this self-aggrandizing pomp are the “sensitive days,” during which the regime’s stability maintenance agency takes the CCP’s opponents on forced “holiday,” thereby ensuring the regime’s glossy image isn’t marred by any unsightly nay-saying (namely truth-telling) coming from known dissenters.” Continue Reading
President Biden, Don't Forget China's Political Prisoners
Written by Distinguished Fellow Chen Guangcheng :
“As the sun sets on Asia-Pacific Economic Conference, the curtain closes on another high-level diplomatic and business forum bringing East and West together. No doubt many deals were made, and many handshakes secured guarantees of mutual economic benefit for those at the top of the represented societies. But one crucial piece was missing. In particular, the widely-anticipated meeting between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping held the promise for many Americans—and many citizens abroad—that the U.S. president might hold the Chinese dictator to account for human rights abuses in China. Sadly, it appears that the universal values that form the bedrock of Western democracies did not make it onto the summit agenda.” Continue Reading
America's Global Responsibility
Originally published for the Epoch Times.
“Just as the war in Ukraine reaches a critical point and conflict engulfs the Middle East, voices across the United States are increasingly questioning U.S. involvement abroad. Some politicians and the public seem to suggest that the United States should focus on its domestic problems at the exclusion of international issues. “What’s in it for us?” they ask. “Why should Americans care about—and fund—conflicts happening in far-off nations when we have so many problems at home to address?” Continue Reading
J.D. Student Exposes Ongoing Threat of Confucius Institutes in U.S. Universities
In Fall 2023, Columbus School of Law student Michael Burton published a detailed report on the continuing influence of Confucius Institutes in American academia. Though nearly all U.S. branches have closed under public pressure, Burton’s research reveals how many have quietly rebranded while maintaining ties to the Chinese Communist Party. His paper traces the history, evolution, and enduring risks posed by these partnerships. Read the paper here.
Center for Human Rights Releases Report on Chinese "Police Stations" in the U.S.
In late 2022, Safeguard Defenders brought attention to secret Chinese “police stations” operating internationally, including in the United States. This report from Catholic University’s Center for Human Rights examines the issue in depth, analyzing cases in Europe and the U.S. It provides a thorough legal review of relevant international, federal, and state laws, offering guidance on how to respond effectively to this growing concern. Read the report here.
Center for Human Rights Files Amicus Brief in Beatriz v. El Salvador on the Legal Status of Abortion
On February 9, 2024, Dr. William Saunders, Director of the Center for Human Rights, joined as a signatory on an amicus curiae brief submitted in the case of Beatriz v. El Salvador. The brief challenges the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ assertion that El Salvador violated international law by criminalizing abortion. It argues there is no recognized human right to abortion under conventional human rights law, customary international law, or soft law instruments, including the jurisprudence cited by the Commission. Read the brief here.
Center for Human Rights Joins International Legal Scholars in Amicus Brief Supporting Dobbs Case
The following brief was signed by Dr. William Saunders, Director of the Center for Human Rights:
“On June 23, 2021, the Center for Human Rights, alongside 141 international legal scholars, filed an amicus curiae brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The brief asserts the inherent right to life of the unborn and supports Mississippi’s efforts to regulate abortion. It emphasizes the importance of preserving state-level authority to tailor abortion policies in line with moral and legal considerations.” Continue Reading
China’s proxy War Against Faith
Written by Sam Brownback, Fellow at Center for Human Rights, and Erica Lizza, M.A. Student at Center for Human Rights, for The Hill
“On March 24, Honduras became the latest Latin American country to switch its allegiance from Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China. Costa Rica ended its diplomatic ties with Taiwan back in 2007, while Panama, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic all severed ties and entered relationships with China in 2017 and 2018. And Nicaragua, under the leadership of Daniel Ortega, has had an on and off relationship with China dating back to Ortega’s role on the governing Sandinista junta in the 1980s.” Continue Reading
It is Dangerous to be Catholic in Nicaragua
Written by Sam Brownback, Fellow at Center for Human Rights, and Erica Lizza, M.A. Student at Center for Human Rights, for America Magazine
“Being Catholic in Nicaragua is dangerous. To show your faith in any way, whether through displaying religious images or being seen with clergy, is to single yourself out for likely punishment and a dark, uncertain fate. The regime of President Daniel Ortega has shut down a major Catholic charity (Caritas Nicaragua), expelled the Missionaries of Charity (the order of religious sisters founded by St. Teresa of Kolkata), and deported or imprisoned Catholic clergy, including Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa.” Continue Reading
The Law Under the CCP Is a Sham
Written by Distinguished Fellow Chen Guangcheng for Public Discourse:
“As I wrote in a recent article published in the Wall Street Journal, there is no rule of law under authoritarian rule. No matter if we are talking about emperors of old or the party-state systems of the past century (otherwise known as communist authoritarianism), the enduring characteristics are the same: a tiny minority or even one individual holds the highest levels of power, monopolizing the authority and resources of the nation.” Continue Reading
Coming Out of the Two Sessions, the CCP Cares for Only One Thing—Itself
Written by Distinguished Fellow Chen Guangcheng for Public Discourse:
“In early March, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “Two Sessions” began, during which time top officials of the CCP met to discuss policy. This year, as expected, Xi Jinping was anointed for a third term as Party chief.” Continue Reading
Biden administration must confront Nicaragua’s assault on religious freedom
Written by Erica Lizza, M.A. Student at Center for Human Rights, for Univison
“Nicaragua is erupting as the latest major battleground over religious freedom due to the autocratic regime of President Daniel Ortega’s targeting of religious critics for special persecution—inciting mob violence, detaining opponents, and perpetrating legal abuses against human rights champions.” Continue Reading
Prof. Sen Nieh Highlights Falun Gong Persecution at International Human Rights Commission
Prof. Sen Nieh Highlights Falun Gong Persecution at International Human Rights Commission
On October 1, 2022, Center for Human Rights Fellow Prof. Sen Nieh presented at the International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF). He detailed the Chinese government’s strict control over religious and spiritual beliefs, emphasizing how peaceful groups like Falun Gong face intense surveillance and repression. Prof. Nieh’s presentation explored the global implications of these human rights abuses and called for greater international awareness and action. Watch the presentation here.
Why the Chinese Communist Party Is Destroying My Village
Written by Distinguished Fellow Chen Guangcheng:
“The Chinese Communist Party is again burying history to make a profit and hide its inhumane deeds. How else can one describe its plan to build a dam submerging 27 villages—including my own—without a demonstrated need for such a large-scale public-works structure?
Some time ago, people in my hometown, Dongshigu, reported they’d heard that the government was considering building a massive reservoir nearby.” Continue Reading
The CCP’s Fake Democracy: How the CCP Controls China and Fools the World
On February 8, 2022, Public Discourse published a two-part exposé by Chen Guangcheng, Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Human Rights. The series reveals how the Chinese Communist Party manipulates public perception, suppresses dissent, and fabricates the appearance of democratic rule. Guangcheng warns the global community against accepting the CCP’s version of governance at face value. Read Part 1 | Read Part 2
Chen Guangcheng and William Saunders Expose CCP Abuses Ahead of Beijing Olympics
On February 3, 2022, Chen Guangcheng, Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Human Rights, and William Saunders, Director of the Center, appeared on EWTN News Nightly to discuss the 2022 Beijing Olympics. They warned that the Chinese Communist Party was using the Games to whitewash its human rights record and silence international scrutiny. Their interview called attention to ongoing repression and urged moral clarity from the global community. Watch the Interview
Centennial Reflections: Chen Guangcheng and Dr. Saunders on 100 Years of the CCP
On July 9, 2021, Chen Guangcheng and Dr. William Saunders were interviewed by the Westminster Institute to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. Together, they examined the CCP’s legacy of repression, ideological control, and human rights abuses, contrasting it with China’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Their conversation offered a sobering look at a century of authoritarian rule—and a hopeful call for truth and freedom. Watch the interview here.
Chen Guangcheng Receives Inaugural Leopoldo López Freedom and Democracy Award
On April 8, 2021, Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng was honored as the first recipient of the Leopoldo López Freedom and Democracy Award. Presented by Kenyon College, the award recognizes individuals who embody a courageous commitment to democratic values. Guangcheng, known for his fearless opposition to forced abortion and Communist repression, accepted the award in a virtual ceremony celebrating his decades of advocacy. Watch the ceremony here.