Dong Jianbiao (董建彪) was a coal miner from Taoshui Township, Youxian County, Hunan, and the father of Dong Yaoqiong (董瑶琼), who became known internationally after a 2018 protest in Shanghai.
After his daughter’s detention and psychiatric hospitalization, Dong spoke publicly about her treatment and repeatedly sought access to her. In 2021, following a domestic dispute in which reports say he threatened to burn a house while carrying gasoline, he was arrested and sentenced to three years in prison.
Death in custody
In September 2022, Chaling Prison notified Dong’s family that he had died and reportedly said he had died of illness. Relatives who viewed the body told media outlets that they saw bruises and other injuries. Reporting by Deutsche Welle described restrictions on family access, pressure to sign cremation documents, rapid cremation and restrictions on public mourning.
Dissident artist Hua Yong publicly stated his belief that Dong had been beaten to death. That was Hua’s opinion, not an independently established finding. No public independent investigation, autopsy report or medical finding has established how Dong died.
Related records
Memorial: Dong Jianbiao
Media Profile & Archive: Dong Jianbiao