In China, freedom of speech continues to redefine itself as a purely theoretical construct. Case in point: Huang Xueqin, a leading #MeToo journalist, was recently sentenced to five years in prison on charges of subversion. This surprising turn of events has catapulted the silent treatment to the top of the activist toolkit in the country.

Huang Xueqin and fellow activist Wang Jianbin, who received a slightly shorter stint of three and a half years, have become the latest unwitting mascots of don’t-speak-up advocacy. They were detained in September 2021, charged with the ominous crime of "inciting subversion of state power" (CNN, NBC).

The court responsible for this decision, the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court, appears to have an uncanny aversion to acquitting defendants. The phrase "fair trial" might as well be scribbled onto a wish list and sent to Santa. Despite this, Huang has decided to appeal her sentence, demonstrating an admirable optimism in the face of a judicial system more impenetrable than a black hole (CNN, NBC).

Huang was instrumental in sparking China’s #MeToo movement, a brave but evidently career-limiting endeavor. It all started in 2018 when she surveyed 416 female journalists and discovered that a staggering 84% had experienced sexual harassment at work. You’d think such a revelation would prompt reform, but alas, it merely resulted in her scrutinization being greatly elevated (CNN).

In a twist that defies the unfortunate pattern of good timing, Huang and Wang were detained a mere day before Huang was due to fly to the United Kingdom for a master's degree (CNN, NBC). China’s sense of timing is impeccable, right?

For those wondering how airtight the Chinese judicial system is, it’s worth noting the country boasts a conviction rate north of 99.9%. Just about the only thing more reliable is the sun rising in the east (CNN).

As if the legal proceedings weren’t already Kafkaesque enough, more than 70 friends and supporters of Huang and Wang were summoned by police for questioning. Some were even forced to sign fabricated testimonies against the duo because nothing says “justice” quite like creative writing under duress (CNN).

During her detention, Huang experienced significant weight loss and cessation of menstruation, conditions that add a distressing new wrinkle to the phrase “paying for your beliefs” (CNN). Meanwhile, Amnesty International noted the timing of their conviction came just a day shy of the pair’s 1,000th day in custody. Nothing says "Happy Anniversary" quite like a prison sentence renewal (CNN).

On the day of Huang’s closed-door trial, a heavy security presence enveloped the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court, making sure no pesky notions of transparency could interfere with the proceedings (NBC). Inquiries sent to Guangzhou police regarding the case received the silent treatment—perhaps the highest form of ironic validation for the new activism trend (NBC).

It seems that in China, speaking up can get you a lengthy sabbatical, while staying silent might just be the loudest form of protest. As Huang appeals her sentence, one can only hope that this time silence might speak louder than the courtroom's deafening verdict.

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