Li Xuehui (李学惠) is a Beijing-based activist who has been detained repeatedly since at least 2014 in connection with June 4th commemoration activities, pro-democracy advocacy, and videos posted online, according to records kept by the Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD).
CHRD describes Li as an activist based in Beijing and an associate of the late rights advocate Cao Shunli (曹顺利). He was 50 years old in 2014.
In February 2014, Li was detained for about a month after attempting to visit Cao Shunli in hospital before her death, according to CHRD.
Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, Li was taken away by police on May 20, 2014 and placed under criminal detention the following day on suspicion of “creating a disturbance.” Police searched his home and took away his computer, books, and other materials. CHRD reports that Li had worked with activist Wang Xiuying (王秀英) to create badges commemorating June 4th. He was released on bail pending further investigation on June 28, 2014.
In October 2014, during the crackdown on mainland supporters of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests, Li was detained on October 14 on suspicion of “creating a disturbance.” He was held at Shijingshan Detention Center and released on bail pending further investigation on November 20, 2014.
In September 2017, police detained Li along with citizen journalist Ding Lingjie (丁灵杰) and petitioner Wang Fengxian (王风仙). On December 28, 2018, the Shijingshan District Court in Beijing convicted all three. Li and Ding received 20-month prison sentences, while Wang received a 20-month sentence suspended for two years, according to CHRD. The case centered on a video shot by Li and starring Wang Fengxian’s elderly mother; authorities alleged the video insulted a state leader by mocking President Xi Jinping.
In a June 2025 statement, CHRD listed Li among human rights defenders detained or disappeared in connection with June 4th commemoration. It stated that Li was in pre-trial detention on charges of “picking quarrels” as of September 2024 after allegedly posting a video online.
No later update on Li’s case was found in the prepared evidence packet. His current status is therefore unknown beyond the pre-trial detention reported as of September 2024.
Sources: CHRD, June 1, 2025; CHRD, January 8, 2019; CHRD, October 19, 2014; CHRD, May 29, 2014.