Yaqiu Wang 王亚秋
@yaqiu.bsky.social
Chinese human rights and democracy advocate | Fellow at University of Chicago’s Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression | https://www.wangyaqiu.com/ | 勇气是最珍贵的品质
“What really needs to be replaced is never the bamboo scaffolding." - Clever, but makes me sad. Hong Kongers are increasingly adopting the euphemistic language of the mainland, because speaking plainly is risky. In time, people may lose not only the ability to say the truth, but even to think it.
November 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
“What really needs to be replaced is never the bamboo scaffolding." - Clever, but makes me sad. Hong Kongers are increasingly adopting the euphemistic language of the mainland, because speaking plainly is risky. In time, people may lose not only the ability to say the truth, but even to think it.
For everyone working in democracy and human rights: if you’re still standing after this year, take a moment to thank yourself. It’s been a lot. But setbacks are temporary and our cause will prevail, because people everywhere want to live in freedom and dignity. Wish you all a hopeful Thanksgiving!
November 27, 2025 at 10:16 PM
For everyone working in democracy and human rights: if you’re still standing after this year, take a moment to thank yourself. It’s been a lot. But setbacks are temporary and our cause will prevail, because people everywhere want to live in freedom and dignity. Wish you all a hopeful Thanksgiving!
The photos of the Hong Kong fire are heartbreaking. What makes it even worse is knowing that the lack of press freedom and the absence of democratically elected leaders will only hinder a real investigation and meaningful accountability. 香港平安！香港加油！
November 27, 2025 at 4:30 AM
The photos of the Hong Kong fire are heartbreaking. What makes it even worse is knowing that the lack of press freedom and the absence of democratically elected leaders will only hinder a real investigation and meaningful accountability. 香港平安！香港加油！
There have been many articles lately about US–China rivalry. But when the two countries no longer differ meaningfully in the underlying values that once defined that competition, I wonder: what exactly are they competing for now? I feel increasingly detached from these debates.
November 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
There have been many articles lately about US–China rivalry. But when the two countries no longer differ meaningfully in the underlying values that once defined that competition, I wonder: what exactly are they competing for now? I feel increasingly detached from these debates.
It’s frustrating that the Trump administration goes soft on actual CCP agents, yet is unwelcoming toward ordinary immigrants and asylum seekers, including those from China. www.wsj.com/world/china/...
November 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
It’s frustrating that the Trump administration goes soft on actual CCP agents, yet is unwelcoming toward ordinary immigrants and asylum seekers, including those from China. www.wsj.com/world/china/...
This administration is an utter disgrace. So many of us came to this country precisely because in the United States of America, anyone can "hide behind the First Amendment," aka, enjoy the right to free speech.
November 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM
This administration is an utter disgrace. So many of us came to this country precisely because in the United States of America, anyone can "hide behind the First Amendment," aka, enjoy the right to free speech.
Huge respect to @lauratmurphy.bsky.social for her tenacious fight for academic freedom, labor rights and minority rights all at once. Let Sheffield Hallam be a lesson: appeasing the CCP doesn't save you; it backfires spectacularly, because there are people who care and will fight.
November 3, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Huge respect to @lauratmurphy.bsky.social for her tenacious fight for academic freedom, labor rights and minority rights all at once. Let Sheffield Hallam be a lesson: appeasing the CCP doesn't save you; it backfires spectacularly, because there are people who care and will fight.
Sanae Takaichi has been formally elected as Japan's first female Prime Minister. Whatever one thinks of her politics, those of us who grew up in East Asia’s patriarchal societies should take a moment to celebrate this breakthrough.
October 21, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Sanae Takaichi has been formally elected as Japan's first female Prime Minister. Whatever one thinks of her politics, those of us who grew up in East Asia’s patriarchal societies should take a moment to celebrate this breakthrough.
Thank you to whoever is holding this sign on the Upper West Side of New York. Yes, we make America great by bringing you delicious food, rich cultures, deep expertise, and so much more! And thank you for welcoming us to stay, whether for a while or forever!
October 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Thank you to whoever is holding this sign on the Upper West Side of New York. Yes, we make America great by bringing you delicious food, rich cultures, deep expertise, and so much more! And thank you for welcoming us to stay, whether for a while or forever!
Totally understand but I can’t help but feel disappointed. What will save American democracy is not elites’ smarts but your courage. SPEAK ON THE RECORD, folks. Yes, you have a lot to lose, but you also have a lot. You will be fine. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/m...
October 6, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Totally understand but I can’t help but feel disappointed. What will save American democracy is not elites’ smarts but your courage. SPEAK ON THE RECORD, folks. Yes, you have a lot to lose, but you also have a lot. You will be fine. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/m...
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all the political prisoners in China and Hong Kong who cannot celebrate the festival with their families because they want to build a society where all families can live with dignity and freedom. 中秋节快乐！
October 6, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all the political prisoners in China and Hong Kong who cannot celebrate the festival with their families because they want to build a society where all families can live with dignity and freedom. 中秋节快乐！
Please join me tomorrow at 6pm in DC with @kennethroth.bsky.social to share his experience of being deported from Hong Kong and sanctioned by the Chinese government, and why staying principled is, in fact, the most effective strategy for creating change: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...
October 2, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Please join me tomorrow at 6pm in DC with @kennethroth.bsky.social to share his experience of being deported from Hong Kong and sanctioned by the Chinese government, and why staying principled is, in fact, the most effective strategy for creating change: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...
The leaders of both super powers now agree on that one should be punished for speaking out against them. It is time for us little people in both countries to unite in defense of free speech.
September 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The leaders of both super powers now agree on that one should be punished for speaking out against them. It is time for us little people in both countries to unite in defense of free speech.
Today, the US government forfeited all credibility in criticizing the CCP’s suppression of free speech in China.
September 18, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Today, the US government forfeited all credibility in criticizing the CCP’s suppression of free speech in China.
Pleased to see Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu honored with CPJ’s Press Freedom Award. It’s a reminder to the Chinese government that those it brands as criminals are, in fact, recognized as heroes by the rest of the world.
September 13, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Pleased to see Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu honored with CPJ’s Press Freedom Award. It’s a reminder to the Chinese government that those it brands as criminals are, in fact, recognized as heroes by the rest of the world.
A Chinese man in Hubei got detained for 10 days for mocking the military parade. Americans, if you don't want to be thrown in jail for mocking a certain orange-colored man in the future, you gotta fight TODAY!
September 7, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A Chinese man in Hubei got detained for 10 days for mocking the military parade. Americans, if you don't want to be thrown in jail for mocking a certain orange-colored man in the future, you gotta fight TODAY!
So I just tweeted about a Chinese student being arbitrarily turned away at a US airport. Now, here is a Chinese student being arbitrarily detained at a Chinese airport. I feel so sorry for Chinese students these days. (Disclaimer: I'm not equating the two governments in terms of level of abuses.)
August 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
So I just tweeted about a Chinese student being arbitrarily turned away at a US airport. Now, here is a Chinese student being arbitrarily detained at a Chinese airport. I feel so sorry for Chinese students these days. (Disclaimer: I'm not equating the two governments in terms of level of abuses.)
The Trump administration moves to fire most of VOA journalists.
August 30, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The Trump administration moves to fire most of VOA journalists.
So, 3 months ago, the US govt said it would "aggressively" revoke visas of Chinese students. Now, Trump wants to "welcome more Chinese students than ever." I feel sorry for the Chinese students, for US visa officials, for anyone who still attempts to make sense of US politics.
August 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM
So, 3 months ago, the US govt said it would "aggressively" revoke visas of Chinese students. Now, Trump wants to "welcome more Chinese students than ever." I feel sorry for the Chinese students, for US visa officials, for anyone who still attempts to make sense of US politics.
The hypocrisy is outrageous. One the one hand, these United Front operatives claim it is "Chinese culture" to bribe journalists; one the other hand, they cry "discrimination" the moment their CCP ties are exposed. (Screenshots from NYT investigations.)
August 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
The hypocrisy is outrageous. One the one hand, these United Front operatives claim it is "Chinese culture" to bribe journalists; one the other hand, they cry "discrimination" the moment their CCP ties are exposed. (Screenshots from NYT investigations.)
For the umpteenth time, a United Front figure is conflating "the CCP" with "Chinese people," and crying "discrimination" to deflect from their CCP ties. It cheapens the concept of anti-Chinese discrimination, which is increasingly a real problem in America. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/n...
August 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
For the umpteenth time, a United Front figure is conflating "the CCP" with "Chinese people," and crying "discrimination" to deflect from their CCP ties. It cheapens the concept of anti-Chinese discrimination, which is increasingly a real problem in America. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/n...
Bribing journalists for positive coverage is NOT a "Chinese culture" practice. It is corruption, fostered by a media system that lacks transparency, independence and is poorly paid. Both the giving and receiving parties know it is wrong. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/n...
August 22, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Bribing journalists for positive coverage is NOT a "Chinese culture" practice. It is corruption, fostered by a media system that lacks transparency, independence and is poorly paid. Both the giving and receiving parties know it is wrong. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/n...
So, on one side you have pro-CCP grifters like Winnie Greco & Eric Adams; on the other, you have anti-CCP hustlers like Guo Wengui & Steve Bannon. The worst Chinese fraudsters are teaming up with the worst American fraudsters amid US-China great power competition. What a world we are living in!
August 21, 2025 at 9:15 PM
So, on one side you have pro-CCP grifters like Winnie Greco & Eric Adams; on the other, you have anti-CCP hustlers like Guo Wengui & Steve Bannon. The worst Chinese fraudsters are teaming up with the worst American fraudsters amid US-China great power competition. What a world we are living in!
Give me a break. Since when is bribing a journalist "Chinese culture?" CCP United Front-linked Winnie Greco is under FBI investigation, yet, this hasn't stopped her from keeping undermining American democracy.
August 21, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Give me a break. Since when is bribing a journalist "Chinese culture?" CCP United Front-linked Winnie Greco is under FBI investigation, yet, this hasn't stopped her from keeping undermining American democracy.
Just witnessed ICE interrogating a delivery driver in DuPont Circle, Washington DC. Feels like chengguan (urban management agents) harassing street vendors in China. There will be reckoning for this cruelty and lawlessness.
August 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Just witnessed ICE interrogating a delivery driver in DuPont Circle, Washington DC. Feels like chengguan (urban management agents) harassing street vendors in China. There will be reckoning for this cruelty and lawlessness.