As the 36th anniversary of the June 4th Incident approaches, human rights activists, dissidents, and lawyers across China are once again facing restrictions on their movements. Despite tight local budgets, authorities have not reduced their efforts to maintain stability during this politically sensitive period, reflecting the authorities' continued vigilance against historical memory and the potential for collective resistance.
In Beijing, our station has learned that since last weekend, a large number of human rights activists have been summoned by police and informed that they will be "under house arrest" for a week. Human rights activist Mr. Zhou told Radio Free Asia on Monday (June 2nd) that numerous dissidents, including Gao Yu, Ji Feng, Wu Qiang, Pu Zhiqiang, He Depu, and Zha Jianguo, have had their personal freedom restricted since May 30th. He said, "I was also under house arrest. There was a police car parked in the courtyard with several officers inside. Except for Gao Yu, who was taken away on a 'tour,' most of the others were under house arrest."
"Forced to travel", "forced to take up a job" and "forced to ask for tea" are common methods used by the authorities in recent years to control people and warn political dissidents. They are staged every time the June 4th anniversary comes around or before and after the "Two Sessions".
"Taking office" has become a common means of restricting dissidents
Veteran media personality Gao Yu wrote on social media platform X last week: "The June 4th anniversary draws closer. Domestic national security and public security have been mobilized. Of course, strict security measures are being implemented. The internet is completely silent; not a single word can be published." She noted that overseas communities continue to publish commemorative speeches. "I'm busy watching videos and listening carefully to speeches. Don't underestimate 36 years—after all, 30, then 35, have passed. Even just one more year will bring about changes."
A day later, Gao Yu posted again: "I can't post today, Twitter friends, goodbye!"
Another Beijing dissident, Mr. Wang, noted that due to funding constraints within the public security system, many individuals who were previously taken on "vacation" are now being monitored in situ, just as they were last year. "Zha Jianguo, He Depu, Li Wei, and others are trapped in their homes. Even trips to the supermarket require police pickups and drop-offs, and they're being monitored the entire time," he said. "After over 30 years, they're still maintaining stability without letting up. What are they afraid of?"
Dissidents are subject to multi-dimensional surveillance
According to our station, police cars are stationed in the residential complexes of several Beijing human rights activists, with street office staff and plainclothes officers taking turns guarding the area, creating a "multi-dimensional surveillance" system. Friends of Gao Yu revealed that, as a woman in her 80s and in poor health, she is unsure whether she will be taken to the Beijing suburbs for a "sightseeing tour" or on a more distant "scenic tour." She has prepared ten days' worth of medication in case her "forced tour" is extended.
Similar surveillance operations were also taking place in other regions. Members of the Guizhou Human Rights Seminar, whose freedom is often restricted during the annual June 4th period, were also not spared this year. Wang Qin, a resident of Huaguoyuan Community in Nanming District, Guiyang City, revealed to this station that several members, including himself, were placed on "posts." "Chen Xi, Liao Shuangyuan, Huang Yanming, Zeng Ning, and others have all been restricted from traveling." Huang Qin lamented, "The national budget is so tight, yet they're still spending money on stability maintenance. I've heard that some areas in southern China have 'no money left for stability maintenance.'"
In Nanning, Guangxi, dissident Zhou Qiming said that national security officers have repeatedly warned him not to leave his home, even demanding he send his location and upload selfies to the police station every day. "The term 'travel' is no longer used now. It's called 'greeting' and 'on-site supervision' instead. The police station finds it troublesome and everyone's just passing the buck."
Human rights lawyers have also been targeted. A Henan lawyer involved in the 709 case, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that several of his colleagues were ordered to return to their registered residences for "custody," but some refused, citing health reasons. Lawyers in Beijing, Henan, Shandong, and other regions who had previously represented rights defenders and had their licenses revoked were all placed under surveillance by the authorities.
From prosecutors to petitioners, everyone is under control
In Hefei, Anhui, locals reported that former prosecutor Shen Liangqing had been warned by police not to give interviews to foreign media. In Fangshan, Beijing, petitioner Ms. Tang pointed out that numerous petitioners from other places had been deported or secretly detained. She said, "Several petitioners from Jilin were all sent to Jiujingzhuang, then sent back to their hometowns to attend 'study classes.'"
Feng Nan, a retired lecturer from Guizhou, noted that despite growing domestic fiscal pressures since the Sino-US trade war, the authorities have maintained a high-pressure approach to maintaining stability at sensitive points, highlighting the institutional dilemma facing the stability maintenance system. "Current stabilization measures are trending towards 'reducing costs and increasing efficiency,' shifting from off-site tourism to on-site surveillance. However, this fundamental disregard for basic human rights remains."
Feng Nan stated that despite the authorities' yearly rehearsals for maintaining stability, the shadow of June Fourth remains. "Faced with the ever-changing blockade of memory and personal control, the silence and resistance of a generation have become a true testament to Chinese society's 'dare not forget.'"
