China Builds Over 200 New Jails as Xi Jinping Intensifies Anti-Corruption Campaign

“Liuzhi Centers Allow Detention Without Legal Access for Up to Six Months, Raising Human Rights Concerns”

December 29, 2024: Beijing: China has constructed or expanded over 200 specialized detention centers, known as “liuzhi” centers, as part of President Xi Jinping’s intensified anti-corruption drive, according to a report by CNN. These centers are designed to detain individuals for up to six months without access to legal counsel or family visits.

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Key Details of Liuzhi Centers:

• The liuzhi system, established in 2018, replaced the controversial “shuanggui” system, which faced widespread allegations of abuse and torture.
• Detainees include Communist Party officials, civil servants, public sector managers, and even businesspersons suspected of bribery.
• The facilities are equipped with padded walls, round-the-clock surveillance cameras, and anti-slip surfaces to prevent self-harm.

Expansion and Notable Cases:

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• Between 2017 and November 2024, 218 liuzhi centers have been built or upgraded, with construction accelerating in the post-pandemic years.
• High-profile figures such as billionaire banker Bao Fan and former soccer star Li Tie have been implicated in corruption cases. Li Tie was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Human Rights Concerns:

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Critics argue that the liuzhi system facilitates abuse of power, forced confessions, and psychological torture.

• A former detainee, Chen Jianjun, recounted enduring sleep deprivation and being forced to remain seated for 18 hours a day during his detention.
• Economists and activists warn that the system could be misused to extract bribes or target businesspeople unfairly.

Legislative Debate:

A proposed amendment to China’s National Supervision Law aims to formalize interrogation guidelines but does not address access to legal counsel. It also seeks to extend the maximum detention period from six to eight months.

Critics Raise Alarms:

Observers, including economist Zhou Tianyong, have voiced concerns that unchecked power in anti-corruption campaigns could undermine China’s economic stability.

The international community continues to monitor these developments amid ongoing concerns about human rights violations and abuse of legal procedures under Xi’s leadership.

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Tags:

China Anti-Corruption, Xi Jinping, Liuzhi Detention Centers, Human Rights China, Chinese Governance, Corruption Crackdown, Political Detention China, Surveillance China, Chinese Law Reform.