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China detains veteran journalist Du Bin for third time
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 4 December 2025 | JP Asia Desk
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Veteran journalist Du Bin has been detained for the third time by Chinese authorities. His recent arrest is reportedly linked to criticisms in his authored book.Summary
BEIJING — Chinese authorities have once again detained veteran photojournalist and filmmaker Du Bin. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), this marks the third time Du Bin has been taken into custody, following previous detentions in 2013 and 2020. He has been held since October 15, 2025, at the Shunyi Detention Centre in Beijing, after police reportedly arrested him a day before he was scheduled to travel abroad.
Vague charges common in crackdowns
Authorities say Du is accused of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a charge frequently used against journalists and dissidents in China. Friends and rights groups told CPJ a likely trigger for the latest detention is a book authored by Du that reportedly criticizes state leaders, though they did not specify which book or individuals are involved. Du Bin previously worked for state-owned newspapers as well as major international outlets such as The New York Times, and has long reported on sensitive human rights issues, including forced-labor camps and political repression.
International outcry and broader press freedom implications
The detention has drawn immediate condemnation from press freedom organisations, including CPJ and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which have called for Du’s immediate and unconditional release and urged authorities to drop all charges related to his work. They argue this arrest is part of a long-running campaign to silence one of China’s most persistent independent voices, undermining not only the free flow of information inside China but also international reporting and cross-border coverage of human rights abuses. Observers warn that such continued use of broad and vague criminal charges could further chill investigative journalism and diminish accountability journalism in China and abroad.
ATTRIBUTION: Based on reporting from CPJ and RSF
PHOTO: Reuters
Key Points
- Du Bin has been detained for the third time by Chinese authorities.
- He is held at Shunyi Detention Centre and accused of picking quarrels and provoking trouble.
- The arrest may be tied to a book he authored that reportedly criticizes state leaders.
- Du Bin has a long history of human rights reporting and previously worked for major international outlets.
- CPJ and RSF demand his immediate release, warning of a broader crackdown on press freedom.
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