The Chinese government’s repression escalated in 2025, as reported by Human Rights Watch in its 2026 World Report. President Xi Jinping instructed the government to enforce ideological conformity and loyalty to him and the Chinese Communist Party. This crackdown particularly affects Uyghurs, Tibetans, and other communities with distinct identities, as well as members of unofficial churches facing severe rights suppression.
Maya Wang, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, criticized Xi Jinping’s administration for its deteriorating human rights record. She highlighted the expansion of crackdowns on fundamental freedoms and the lack of significant pushback from foreign governments. The 529-page World Report 2026 by HRW assesses human rights practices in over 100 countries, pointing out Xi Jinping’s visits to Tibet and Xinjiang to showcase governmental control.
The report reveals that thousands of Uyghurs are unfairly imprisoned in China, with the government even prohibiting celebrations of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday in Tibet. Repression has heightened following the imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong. The Chinese government’s efforts to ‘sinicize’ religions have led to increased crackdowns on ‘house churches’ that resist aligning with the official church.
China has also targeted diaspora communities critical of government abuses, harassing their families and detaining returnees, such as the recent arrest of student activist Tara Zhang Yadi. Human Rights Watch called on the Chinese government to halt crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, repeal Hong Kong’s national security laws, grant access to independent observers in Tibet and Xinjiang, and release detained human rights defenders.
