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(Beijing – July 10, 2025) Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Tang Jitian submitted a request to the Beijing Municipal Bureau for Market Regulation on June 16, 2025, asking the government to disclose information and provide an explanation for his inclusion on the blocklist of individual investors (natural persons). Previously, Tang Jitian’s attempt to register a company was denied due to his status on this blocklist.
Background: A Lawyer Who Speaks Out for Marginalized Groups
Lawyer Tang Jitian is a long-time legal advocate for the rights of Chinese citizens. He has represented numerous human rights cases, covering areas such as land rights, religious freedom, freedom of expression, and freedom of association. He is also known for his efforts to promote democratic elections within bar associations. However, his rights advocacy has subjected him to ongoing government repression. Since 2010, Tang has had his license to practice law revoked and has been repeatedly detained, placed under house arrest, and forcibly disappeared. Despite these hardships, he continues to defend his legal rights through legal channels and urges authorities to adhere to the rule of law.
Tang is also banned from leaving the country under the pretext of “endangering national security.” Last year, his 27-year-old eldest daughter Zheng Qi passed away in Japan. Due to the exit ban, Tang Jitian was unable to see her one last time before she passed away from her sickness. The travel restriction reflects only the logic of the government, showing no regard for the sentiments of the public.
Company Registration Denied, Legal Grounds for Blocklist Questioned
According to sources, on May 27, 2025, Tang Jitian and two friends submitted an application to establish Baoer Business (Beijing) Co., Ltd. with the Yanqing District Market Supervision Bureau in Beijing. However, the application was rejected due to Tang Jitian’s inclusion on the blocklist of individual investors. The Yanqing District Market Supervision Bureau stated that the registration could only proceed if the municipal bureau “unlocks” his status.
In response, lawyer Tang Jitian submitted a formal request for government information disclosure to the Beijing Municipal Bureau for Market Regulation on June 16. In the application, Tang asserted that he has not violated any laws or regulations related to business activities and argued that his exclusion lacks legal basis and contradicts the principle that administrative agencies serve the people. He demanded the Beijing Municipal Bureau for Market Regulation to disclose the approval documents related to his blocklisting, as well as the names of approving and decision-making personnel.
This is not the first time lawyer Tang Jitian has faced obstacles when attempting to register a company. As early as 2010, he and fellow human rights lawyer Xie Yanyi submitted materials to the Haidian District Bureau of Industry and Commerce in Beijing to register a company, but no response was given.
According to informed sources, Tang has been “targeted” by relevant authorities since 2008, possibly due to his active push for democratic elections within the Beijing Bar Association, which may have offended certain officials.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)
