China is facing renewed accusations of suppressing independent journalism following the detention of two prominent investigative reporters in Chengdu. The journalists were apprehended after publishing allegations of corruption involving a local Communist Party official in Sichuan province.
Detention of Investigative Reporters
Police in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, confirmed they are investigating two men on suspicion of "making false accusations" and "illegal business operations." While authorities only provided surnames, the individuals have been identified by Chinese media and advocacy groups as Liu Hu, aged 50, and Wu Yingjiao, aged 34.
The journalists were reportedly detained on Sunday following the publication of an investigative report they co-authored on 29 January. The article, distributed via the social media platform WeChat, examined alleged corruption involving Pu Fayou, the Communist Party secretary of Pujiang county in Sichuan.
Content Removal and Legal Measures
The report has since been deleted from WeChat, a common action taken by Chinese censors in cases involving sensitive government exposes. Chengdu police stated that the individuals had been placed under "criminal coercive measures," a legal term typically referring to detention.
Mr Pu could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the allegations made against him. The police department in Chengdu did not respond to requests for additional information about the ongoing investigation.
Background of the Journalists
Both Wu Yingjiao and Liu Hu gained national recognition over a decade ago for their work uncovering graft among high-profile figures in China. Liu Hu, a former investigative reporter at New Express, has faced previous legal challenges for his reporting.
In 2013, Beijing police detained Liu on charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" for allegedly "fabricating and spreading rumours." He spent 364 days in detention before being released on bail, according to information from Reporters Without Borders.
International Response and Press Freedom Concerns
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Paris-headquartered advocacy group, has strongly condemned the detention of the two journalists. Aleksandra Bielakowska, RSF's advocacy manager for the Asia-Pacific region, described the situation as evidence of a "restrictive and hostile" environment for independent reporting in China.
"We call on the international community to intensify pressure on the Chinese regime, rather than pursue a normalisation of relations that only enables further repression and allows the authorities to continue targeting reliable reporters," Ms Bielakowska stated.
Broader Context of China's Media Landscape
The detentions occur during a period when leaders from numerous democratic nations, including South Korea, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have visited Beijing in efforts to improve relations with China. These diplomatic engagements are taking place amidst ongoing trade and security tensions between China and the United States.
China's position in global press freedom rankings remains concerning for media advocacy groups. The country ranked 178 out of 180 in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, with the organisation identifying China as the world's largest jailer of journalists.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between China's legal framework and international standards for press freedom, particularly regarding investigative journalism that examines allegations of official misconduct.
