UPDATE: Zhang Zhan, Christian citizen journalist

Image of Zhang Zhan who is a christian journalist who is currently in prison for her journalistic piece criticizing China's response to COVID-19.
Photo: Zhang Zhan (ChinaAid source)
(Shanghai, China) Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan’s life in prison has improved recently. On February 12, her lawyer Zhang Keke learned in a video call with Zhang Zhan’s mother that Zhang Zhan’s condition had improved and that she had ended her hunger strike. 

 

 

The Zhang Zhan Concern Group revealed that Zhang Zhan’s mother told lawyer Zhang Keke that her daughter looked noticeably better during the video call three days before the Lunar New Year on January 28.  

 

 

Zhang Zhan has begun eating again; the authorities have stopped force-feeding her. She has been suffering from severe abdominal pain due to the prolonged hunger strike, but this has eased. Zhang Zhan is no longer force-fed. She can now walk without needing assistance. She is also willing to do some handicrafts in prison.  

 

 

At the end of the 20 minutes video chat between the mother-daughter, Zhang Zhan asked her parents to take care of themselves.  

 

 

Previously, in November and December 2021, Zhang Zhan’s mother had a video call with Zhang Zhan at the Shanghai Women’s Prison. 

 

 

On Saturday, during a call with Zhang Zhan’s lawyer, her mother said she “looked less worried, and had a smile on her face.”  

 

 

The international community is encouraged by the progress of Zhang Zhan’s physical condition; Zhang’s health and treatment by the authorities have improved overall.  

 

 

The Zhang Zhan Concern Group expressed: “We will always remain vigilant until Zhang Zhan walks out of prison safely. We are thankful for all the public speeches, writings, protests, and prayers of those who stand for ‘Free Zhang Zhan.’”  

 

 

Zhang Zhan, a former lawyer, and Christian went to Wuhan to track and report on the 2019 COVID pandemic as a citizen journalist since February 2020. After being arrested by the CCP in May, she was sentenced to 4 years in prison for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” 

 

 

After her arrest, Zhang Zhan went on a hunger strike for more than half a year. She was tortured by prison authorities, including forced nasal feeding, which resulted in severe damage to her health, and her life was hanging onto a thin thread at one point. 

 

 

In 2021, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel awarded Zhang Zhan the Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression. In 2020, she was a recipient of the Lin Zhao Freedom Award awarded by ChinaAid. Zhang Zhan was also awarded the 21st China Youth Human Rights Award in 2021 and the 2021 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom award.   

 

 

~Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid  

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UPDATE: Zhang Zhan, Christian citizen journalist

Image of Zhang Zhan who is a christian journalist who is currently in prison for her journalistic piece criticizing China's response to COVID-19.
Photo: Zhang Zhan (ChinaAid source)
(Shanghai, China) Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan’s life in prison has improved recently. On February 12, her lawyer Zhang Keke learned in a video call with Zhang Zhan’s mother that Zhang Zhan’s condition had improved and that she had ended her hunger strike. 

 

 

The Zhang Zhan Concern Group revealed that Zhang Zhan’s mother told lawyer Zhang Keke that her daughter looked noticeably better during the video call three days before the Lunar New Year on January 28.  

 

 

Zhang Zhan has begun eating again; the authorities have stopped force-feeding her. She has been suffering from severe abdominal pain due to the prolonged hunger strike, but this has eased. Zhang Zhan is no longer force-fed. She can now walk without needing assistance. She is also willing to do some handicrafts in prison.  

 

 

At the end of the 20 minutes video chat between the mother-daughter, Zhang Zhan asked her parents to take care of themselves.  

 

 

Previously, in November and December 2021, Zhang Zhan’s mother had a video call with Zhang Zhan at the Shanghai Women’s Prison. 

 

 

On Saturday, during a call with Zhang Zhan’s lawyer, her mother said she “looked less worried, and had a smile on her face.”  

 

 

The international community is encouraged by the progress of Zhang Zhan’s physical condition; Zhang’s health and treatment by the authorities have improved overall.  

 

 

The Zhang Zhan Concern Group expressed: “We will always remain vigilant until Zhang Zhan walks out of prison safely. We are thankful for all the public speeches, writings, protests, and prayers of those who stand for ‘Free Zhang Zhan.’”  

 

 

Zhang Zhan, a former lawyer, and Christian went to Wuhan to track and report on the 2019 COVID pandemic as a citizen journalist since February 2020. After being arrested by the CCP in May, she was sentenced to 4 years in prison for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” 

 

 

After her arrest, Zhang Zhan went on a hunger strike for more than half a year. She was tortured by prison authorities, including forced nasal feeding, which resulted in severe damage to her health, and her life was hanging onto a thin thread at one point. 

 

 

In 2021, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel awarded Zhang Zhan the Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression. In 2020, she was a recipient of the Lin Zhao Freedom Award awarded by ChinaAid. Zhang Zhan was also awarded the 21st China Youth Human Rights Award in 2021 and the 2021 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom award.   

 

 

~Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid  

News
Read more ChinaAid stories
Click Here
Write
Send encouraging letters to prisoners
Click Here
Previous slide
Next slide

Send your support

Fight for religious freedom in China

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