(SICHUAN, CHINA — Oct. 27, 2026) — Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei says four unidentified men followed him in southwestern China this month, days after police visited his guesthouse in another province. He says the surveillance has continued despite his release from prison last year.

Lu Siwei, 53, is known for representing clients in politically sensitive cases. In September, he joined six other human rights lawyers in challenging alleged legal violations in the prosecution of three leaders of an unregistered Christian church.

Police visit and renewed surveillance

At a guesthouse on Dadeng Island in Xiamen, Fujian Province, along China’s southeastern coast, police arrived to verify Lu’s identity shortly after he checked in, according to a video posted to X on Oct. 11.

Two days later, on Oct. 13, Lu reported another encounter in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, where four unidentified individuals allegedly followed him. The incident reinforced his concerns about persistent monitoring by Chinese authorities.

“The person-to-person surveillance of me has resumed,” Lu said. “It seems the stability-maintenance plan circulating online is real. Their surveillance skills are just so poor that I noticed them as soon as I stepped outside.”

Lu recalled spotting four people sitting inside a vehicle after he got out of his own car. When he confronted someone in the front seat, the individual verbally abused him, according to Lu.

“To the guy who cursed at me, don’t worry — I’ve already memorized your face,” Lu said.

Lu’s wife, Zhang Chunxiao, said authorities have intensified their surveillance and harassment of her husband, both when he travels outside Chengdu and when he returns. Although other human rights lawyers face similar restrictions, she described the monitoring of Lu as particularly severe.

The encounters follow an incident in April when two men followed Lu at a Chengdu hotel, as previously reported by ChinaAid News. One reportedly described the surveillance as government-mandated “assistance and education.”

Without a permanent residence in Chengdu, Lu sometimes stays in hotels. He and his wife say government personnel continue to monitor his movements, creating significant psychological pressure and making everyday life increasingly difficult.

Prison sentence and ongoing restrictions

Lu previously represented clients in several high-profile cases, including the “Hong Kong 12” case involving pro-democracy activists and the “June 4th Liquor Case,” as well as rights defenders Yu Wensheng and Wang Zang.

In January 2021, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice revoked his license to practice law following statements he published online. On July 28, 2023, Lao police arrested him as he attempted to travel through Thailand to the United States to reunite with his family.

Lu was deported to China in September 2023 and detained. In April 2025, a Chinese court sentenced him to 11 months in prison and fined him 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,400) for illegally crossing the national border.

Although released in August 2025, Lu remained subject to restrictions on his movement, including a ban on leaving China. He maintains that his conviction was politically motivated and continues to appeal for the judgment to be overturned.

His situation has also complicated efforts to obtain medical care and reunite with his family. ChinaAid reported in October 2025 that Lu had been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and was unable to travel to the United States, where his wife and daughter live.

Financial pressure has added to his difficulties. In late September, the Chenghua District Court in Chengdu deducted the 10,000-yuan fine from Lu’s bank account, according to his wife. Lu believes the action was retaliation for complaints he filed against government officials.

In July, after prolonged restrictions on overseas travel and what he described as a court’s refusal to accept his administrative lawsuit, Lu submitted formal complaints accusing senior provincial and city officials of abusing their authority and violating the law.

The officials named included Sichuan Gov. Shi Xiaolin, Chengdu Mayor Chen Shuping, Chengdu Public Security Bureau Director Hu Guomin, and Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court President Yang Cheng. The allegations reflect Lu’s complaints and have not been independently established.

Despite mounting financial hardship and continued surveillance, Lu and his wife say they remain determined to pursue legal complaints and appeals against what they consider unlawful actions by government officials.

Gao Zhensai is a special correspondent for ChinaAid News. Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China through advocacy, legal support, and international awareness campaigns.