New details emerge into missing Chinese journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin

A new documentary has examined the disappearance of Chinese journalist and #MeToo activist Sophia Huang Xueqin.

New details have emerged into the disappearance of Chinese journalist and feminist activist Sophia Huang Xueqin.

According to the BBC documentary China’s Silenced Feminist, available to stream on Flash, she and fellow activist Wang Jianbing were detained in secret locations known as “black jails”. They were held in solitary confinement with no access to lawyers and the outside world.

The pair were transferred to detention centres in Guangzhou where they are being held on charges of ‘inciting subversion of state power’ – a serious charge which could see them facing years behind bars.

The advocate’s friend Kris, not his real name, said he was shocked when he found out she was arrested.

“She just wrote reports on how to help victims in the #MeToo movement,” he said.

“I don’t understand how a feminist journalist could be accused of such a serious charge.”

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New details have emerged over the disappearance of Chinese journalist and feminist activist Sophia Huang Xueqin. Picture: Flash/BBC.

Xueqin is one of China’s most high-profile women’s rights journalists and a sexual-assault survivor who kickstarted China’s #MeToo movement.

In June 2021, the 34-year-old was awarded a scholarship, funded by the British government to pursue Gender Studies at the University of Sussex.

In September that same year, Xueqin and Jianbing “vanished” while on their way to the airport to catch a flight to the UK.

Sophia Huang Xueqin and fellow activist Wang Jianbing ‘vanished’ while on their way to the airport to catch a flight to the UK. Picture: Flash/BBC.

Before their arrest, the duo organised gatherings at Wang’s flat in Guangzhou offering support for young people, victims of industrial accidents, and the LGBT community, the South China Morning Post reported.

Robert Cheng, a friend of both activists, told the publication 70 of their supporters were questioned and interrogated by police.

People were asked to provide information about Xueqin and Jianbing’s “subversive” activities and how they had used the gatherings to “attack state power”.

Cheng claimed that those questioned were forced to sign written statements against the two activists.

“I feel angry and sad about this because this is not true,” he said.

“I hope they will have a fair trial even though their arrests are unjust.”

Xueqin and Jianbing’s cases have been handed over to prosecutors in China, and both are expected to face trial soon.