CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-363914
Wang Liqin
Online name: Wang Li
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Civic advocate
Role
Human Rights Defender
Record ID
CNHRA-P-363914
Biography
Wang Liqin, also publicly known as Wang Li, is the wife of poet Wang Zang. RFA’s 2023 interview explicitly identifies Wang Li as Wang Liqin and records her account of family life and surveillance following release.[1]
After Wang Zang’s detention in 2020, Wang Liqin publicized the case and called online for his release. PEN America reports that she was subsequently detained too, and that the couple’s case became the subject of a joint complaint with the Raoul Wallenberg Centre to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.[2][3]
Wang Liqin cared for the couple’s four children. In her 2023 RFA interview, she said people followed and filmed her while shopping, local personnel required reports of her movements and demanded removal of videos posted on overseas platforms.[1]
Case Summary
Wang Liqin was detained after advocating for her husband and stood trial with him behind closed doors in December 2021. In November 2022 she received two years and six months for inciting subversion, while he received four years. PEN America described the sentences and earlier proceedings in December.[3]
RFA records Wang Liqin’s release after completing her sentence on December 16, 2022. She later described post-release surveillance, saying the number of guards increased during the 2023 national political meetings. On May 30, 2024, she announced Wang Zang’s return home after his sentence.[1][4]
Timeline
2020-06-17
Detained after advocacy for her husband
2021-01
Complaint filed with UN mechanism
2021-12
Closed trial with Wang Zang
The couple’s case was heard in a one-day closed trial. PEN America later described the hearing, the defense lawyer’s inability to appear and the long delay before sentencing information became public.[3]
2022-11
Sentenced to two years and six months
Wang Liqin received two years and six months for inciting subversion, while her husband received four years. PEN America issued a sentencing statement in December.[3]
2022-12-16
Released after completing sentence
RFA’s 2023 interview records her release on December 16, 2022. She subsequently cared for the children and continued to discuss her husband’s case and her own circumstances publicly.[1]
2023-03
Describes post-release surveillance
Wang told RFA that guards increased from twelve to twenty-four in shifts during the national political meetings and followed her shopping. She said local personnel demanded travel reports and removal of online videos.[1]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-542489Radio Free Asia
Evidence location: Interview with Wang Li, identified as Wang Liqin: December 16, 2022 release, four children and March 2023 surveillance.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-906360PEN America
Evidence location: January 21, 2021 complaint statement: Wang’s May 30 detention, wife’s June 17 detention, four children and family surveillance.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-938073PEN America
Evidence location: December 13, 2022 statement: December 2021 trial, previous month’s four-year and two-and-a-half-year sentences, appeal and expression.
- [4]
CNHRA-S-099714Radio Free Asia
Evidence location: Wife’s May 30 announcement; names Wang Yuwen/Wang Zang, writing, 2014 case and actual 2024 release.