A Retired Professor Imprisoned for Criticizing China’s Handling of the Pandemic
In a shocking turn of events, a retired professor in his 70s has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison in China. His crime? Speaking out against the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) response to the pandemic and referring to COVID-19 as the “CCP virus.”
The professor, Chen Zhaozhi, who once taught at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, incurred the wrath of the regime when he dared to claim that the virus was not just a Chinese virus, but a product of the CCP. He also shared posts discussing the severity of the outbreak within the country.
Chinese authorities wasted no time in arresting him in March 2020, accusing him of spreading false information. On September 8, he was sentenced for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a charge frequently used by Beijing to silence its critics. However, he was released the day after the court’s verdict.
“I, Chen Zhaozhi, am back—and back alive,” he declared in a video recorded on his phone, obtained by The Epoch Times. Sitting in a rolling chair in his home, he appeared frail but defiant. He revealed that his health had deteriorated during his time in prison, and he now relies on assistance to stand up.
Chen Zhaozhi is just one of many Chinese academics, dissidents, and citizen journalists who have faced punishment for daring to expose the truth about the severity of the COVID outbreak and the ongoing coverup orchestrated by Beijing.
A Chinese lawyer familiar with Chen Zhaozhi’s situation, speaking anonymously, revealed that the retired professor suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, which worsened during his imprisonment. Despite multiple requests for medical parole, his pleas were ignored.
“This is a clear case of political persecution,” the anonymous lawyer stated. Another lawyer, also fearing retaliation, explained that the term “CCP virus” strikes fear into the regime. “It’s their worst nightmare. Like a thief being caught red-handed,” he added.
According to a friend who spoke with Chen Zhaozhi after his release, the professor’s speech and response time have noticeably slowed compared to three years ago. Despite his declining health, authorities continue to monitor his every move, stationing minders outside his apartment building.
While the details of his time in prison remain unclear, Chen Zhaozhi revealed that he now relies entirely on his wife for his basic needs.
Described as a ”very warm-hearted man,” Chen Zhaozhi has always been willing to help others, financially and with ideas to advance their causes. His friend told The Epoch Times, “This is a speech crime. Commenting on the pandemic is a taboo for the authorities.” Given Chen Zhaozhi’s influence, the regime wanted to make an example out of him.
A pro-democracy activist (C) from HK Alliance holds a placard of missing citizen journalist Fang Bin, as she protests outside the Chinese liaison office in Hong Kong on Feb. 19, 2020. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images)
Calls for Accountability
Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), a vocal critic of the CCP, sees Chen Zhaozhi’s punishment as a reminder of the regime’s suppressive nature and its role in the global spread of the pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives.
“We have not been aggressive enough in exposing the CCP’s coverup of the pandemic’s origin. But it doesn’t surprise me that they are cracking down on dissent. They went to great lengths to suppress information and corrupt our scientific community,” Gallagher, who leads the House Select Committee on the CCP, stated.
“This is a classic example of CCP influence that has had a devastating effect on the global economy,” he added.
Committee chairman Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis) speaks during a House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party meeting on “Taiwan Tabletop Exercise (TTX),” a war games simulation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 19, 2023. (Amanda Andrade Rhoades/Reuters)
During the early stages of the pandemic, the regime silenced doctors who tried to raise the alarm about the outbreak’s danger. They suppressed questions about official data and detained citizen journalists who attempted to uncover the true extent of the devastation on the ground. Meanwhile, state media downplayed the COVID toll.
Fang Bin, who captured video footage of body bags inside hospitals in early February, was imprisoned for three years before being released on April 30.
Zhang Zhan stands near scaffoldings outside a shop during a visit to Wuhan in Hubei province, China, on April 11, 2020. (Courtesy of Melanie Wang via AP)
In the lead-up to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2021, 11 Beijing-based Falun Gong adherents were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to eight years for sharing pandemic-related materials with The Epoch Times.
Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan is currently serving a four-year sentence, despite reports of her declining health.
Three years on, the regime continues to tightly control information, refusing to allow any investigation into the origins of COVID-19 or any other matter. Representative Gallagher believes it is crucial for the international community to take action.
“We should be imposing sanctions on Chinese entities and holding them accountable for their complicity in the COVID coverup,” he urged.
Li Shanshan, Luo Ya, and Chang Chun contributed to this report.
What is significant about the speed with which the Chinese authorities acted against a retired professor like Chen Zhaozhi?
Chen Zhaozhi, a retired professor in his 70s, has recently made headlines and shocked the world with his imprisonment in China. His crime? Speaking out against the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) handling of the pandemic and referring to COVID-19 as the “CCP virus.” This incident sheds light on the extent to which the Chinese regime will go to silence its critics.
Chen Zhaozhi, who once taught at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, boldly claimed that the virus was not just a Chinese virus, but a product of the CCP. He also shared posts discussing the severity of the outbreak within the country. These statements evidently incurred the wrath of the Chinese authorities.
Chinese authorities wasted no time in arresting Chen Zhaozhi in March 2020, accusing him of spreading false information. This is not a surprising tactic, as Beijing frequently resorts to such charges to silence individuals who dare to criticize the regime. However, what is surprising is the speed with which they acted against a retired professor.
On September 8, after months of detainment, Chen Zhaozhi was sentenced for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” This charge has often been used to suppress dissenting voices and maintain control over the population. However, what is remarkable is that he was released the day after the court’s verdict. This sudden release may suggest that the Chinese authorities succumbed to international pressure and decided to avoid further scrutiny by keeping him behind bars.
In a video recorded on his phone and obtained by The Epoch Times, Chen Zhaozhi declared, “I, Chen Zhaozhi, am back—and back alive.” Sitting in a rolling chair in his home, he appeared frail but defiant. He revealed that his health had deteriorated during his time in prison, and he now relies on assistance to stand up. The toll that his imprisonment has taken on his physical and mental well-being is evident, yet his spirit remains unbroken.
Chen Zhaozhi’s case underscores the Chinese regime’s fear of criticism and its determination to control narratives, even at the expense of human rights. By imprisoning a retired professor for daring to speak out against the government’s handling of the pandemic, China sends a chilling message to its citizens: dissent will not be tolerated.
The imprisonment of Chen Zhaozhi serves as a stark reminder that freedom of speech and the right to criticize those in power are fundamental pillars of democracy. The international community must condemn such actions and support individuals like Chen Zhaozhi who risk everything to shed light on human rights abuses and governmental misconduct.
As the world grapples with the ongoing pandemic, it is crucial to foster an environment where open dialogue and transparency are encouraged. Silencing voices of dissent, especially those with valuable insights and experiences, hinders progress and jeopardizes the well-being of countless individuals.
Chen Zhaozhi’s case should serve as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide to stand up against oppressive regimes and defend the principles of free speech and human rights. The bravery of individuals like Chen Zhaozhi reminds us that our voices matter and that we must never take our freedoms for granted.
Now loading...