According to The Guardian, a Chinese student who took part in pro-democracy demonstrations in Australia has been sentenced to six years in prison after returning to China.
The student, whose identity has not been disclosed for protection reasons, reportedly returned to China in December 2024 and immediately lost contact with friends in Sydney. He has also had no communication with two employers since January 2025. He had originally planned to remain in Australia after completing his studies.
A representative of the student’s family in Australia said he was arrested and charged with “secession” due to his involvement in pro-democracy protests in Sydney, including rallies supporting China’s ethnic minorities. The family also claimed they were not provided with a copy of the court judgment after the trial.
Maya Wang, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said the case may be part of broader political repression targeting Chinese international students following the 2022 “White Paper” protests. Those protests, driven by anger over strict COVID-19 lockdowns, are considered one of the largest youth-led demonstrations in China in recent years.
Wang noted that while Chinese authorities traditionally focused on suppressing dissent domestically, surveillance and pressure have increasingly extended overseas as the number of international students and migrants has grown. She added that some overseas students continue political activism abroad, prompting a shift in enforcement focus.
Australia introduced foreign interference guidelines in 2019, but these do not address risks faced by students due to political activities conducted overseas. The Department of Education and relevant taskforces have declined to comment on whether the policy will be updated.
Commentary:
This case once again highlights concerns over China’s monitoring of overseas political participation. It is not an isolated incident. Similar reports have emerged in recent years, including the “HungryPanda” delivery worker case earlier this year, where workers in Sydney claimed their families in China were contacted or pressured by police after participating in labour protests, allegedly to discourage further involvement.
Such cross-border pressure may create a chilling effect on overseas Chinese communities and international students, discouraging participation in lawful public debate and social activism. This effectively narrows the space for free expression. Although the Australian government and universities have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to protecting freedom of speech, current mechanisms remain limited when dealing with foreign political influence and indirect family pressure across borders.