September 10, 2026
As Chinese investigative journalist and women’s-rights advocate Huang Xueqin (黄雪琴) approaches the expected completion of her five-year prison sentence, the Free China Movement calls on governments, journalists, human-rights organizations and women’s-rights advocates worldwide to monitor her situation closely.
If her sentence concludes on September 18, 2026, Huang should walk out of prison genuinely free. There must be no disappearance after release, no extrajudicial detention, no forced silence and no arbitrary confinement.
We particularly recognize her courage as an investigative journalist. She pursued difficult questions, listened to people whose experiences were often ignored, investigated abuses and helped women speak about sexual harassment and discrimination.
The world should prepare not merely to observe Huang’s expected release, but to welcome and celebrate her courage and commitment to truth.
On September 18 the questions should be simple: Where is Huang Xueqin? Is she genuinely free? Can she communicate? Can she see her family and friends? Can independent observers confirm her safety?
Until those questions can be answered affirmatively, international attention should continue.
Celebrate Huang Xueqin not merely as a prisoner leaving prison, but as a journalist whose pursuit of truth survived an attempt to silence her.