The United States has expressed profound concern over the reports of the disappearance of Chinese citizen journalist, Ms. Zhang Zhan, following her anticipated release from Shanghai Women’s Prison on May 13. She had been incarcerated for four years on charges related to her reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan.
The U.S. has consistently voiced serious concerns about the arbitrary nature of Zhang's detention and the alleged mistreatment by authorities. The call for the People's Republic of China (PRC) to respect Zhang's human rights has been reiterated, including an immediate end to restrictive measures that she and all journalists in the PRC face. These restrictions encompass surveillance, censorship, harassment, and intimidation. It is emphasized that journalists in the PRC should be safe and able to report freely.
