Zhang Zhongshun (张忠顺) — Media Profile & Archive
See the Person Profile.
This archive collects the media record of the case of Zhang Zhongshun (张忠顺), born August 19, 1967, a human rights defender from Penglai City, Shandong Province, and a participant in the “12·13 Xiamen Citizens’ Gathering case.” Detained on December 26, 2019 for attending the December 2019 Xiamen gathering, subjected to a second round of residential surveillance in September 2022 and criminal detention from January 2023, he was tried in secret by the Linyi City Intermediate Court in April 2024 and sentenced in November 2024 to four years and six months for “subversion of state power” and “illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.” Admitted to Shandong Jiteng Prison in December 2024, he spent his 59th birthday there on August 19, 2026. The Rights Defense Network’s Issue 131 report (August 31, 2026) carries him in its in-prison developments bulletin, confirming he remains in custody serving his term. His case is documented by Amnesty International and the Rights Defense Network’s Issue 131 roster in both Chinese and English editions.
Source provenance
Amnesty International is an independent international human-rights organization. Its December 2024 statement on the fifth anniversary of the Xiamen detentions independently corroborates the person, the case linkage, the four-and-a-half-year sentence, and the November 2024 sentencing month.
The Rights Defense Network (维权网) monthly report is a systematic roster published monthly; Issue 131 (August 31, 2026) lists reported current-custody political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Its in-prison developments bulletin (25人狱中动态信息通报) confirms Zhang Zhongshun remains in custody at Shandong Jiteng Prison.
Chronological media record
2007–2010 — first imprisonment. While teaching at Yantai University, Mr. Zhang showed a video of the 1989 Tiananmen events in a public-ethics class and was reported. Secretly seized August 24, 2007; criminally detained August 28 on suspicion of a “cult” offense; formally arrested September 30, 2007; sentenced February 28, 2008, by Laishan District Court to three years; transferred to Shandong prison August 2008; released February 2010; expelled from Yantai University March 2010; home demolished.
December 2019 — Xiamen gathering and first surveillance. Mr. Zhang attended the December 2019 Xiamen gathering of rights lawyers and defenders. On December 26, 2019, the “12.13 special task force” placed him under residential surveillance on suspicion of “subversion of state power”; released nearly six months later.
September 2022 – January 2023 — second surveillance and detention. After providing testimony to defense lawyers for Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi, Yantai police placed him under residential surveillance again September 23, 2022, and searched his residence. On January 9, 2023, transferred to Linshu County Detention Center, Linyi, under criminal detention.
April 2024 — secret trial. The Linyi Intermediate Court tried him in a secret hearing without notifying his family beforehand.
November 2024 — sentencing. Sentenced to four years and six months for subversion of state power and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
December 2024 — prison admission. Admitted to Shandong Jiteng Prison (山东省济滕监狱).
August 31, 2026 — roster confirmation. The Rights Defense Network’s Issue 131 monthly report lists 张忠顺 in its in-prison developments bulletin, reporting his 59th birthday in prison (August 19, 2026) and confirming he is serving his term.
Media items (with verification)
- Amnesty International, “中国｜五年过去了，2019年厦门聚会案中被判入狱的人权捍卫者必须获释,” December 2024 — independent international human-rights organization — Xiamen gathering background; records 张忠顺 sentenced to four and a half years in November 2024. Status: VERIFIED (opened and read 2026-10-08).
- 维权网, Issue 131 (Chinese edition), August 31, 2026 — independent Chinese-language media roster — full 张忠顺 passage: 59th birthday in prison, 4.5-year sentence, complete bio and case timeline, Shandong Jiteng Prison placement. Status: VERIFIED (local cache read 2026-10-08).
- 维权网, Issue 131 (English edition), August 31, 2026 — parallel “Zhang Zhongshun” passage: 59th birthday, four years six months for subversion and illegal firearms possession, 2019/2022 surveillance and 2023 detention timeline. Status: VERIFIED (local cache read 2026-10-08).
What was searched and not found
- The underlying court judgment text: NOT FOUND.
- PRC official narrative / state media / court notices on his individual case: NOT FOUND.
- Consular or diplomatic attention: none found.
- Any update on release date, transfer, or appeal: NOT FOUND.