Xi Jinping's Anti-Corruption Push Drives China to Build 200+ New Prisons
China has built 200+ "liuzhi" detention centers to aid Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, holding suspects for up to six months without legal access, says CNN
Since 2012, Xi Jinping has prioritized anti-corruption and consolidating control over the Party and military. In his third term, the campaign now extends to public institutions
Liuzhi centers, introduced in 2018, replace "shuanggui" and detain officials, civil servants, and businessmen for anti-corruption, with high-profile cases like Bao Fan and Li Tie
Between 2017 and November 2024, over 218 liuzhi centers were built or expanded, with construction speeding up after the pandemic
Critics say the liuzhi system enables abuse and forced confessions, with detainees facing threats, torture, and psychological pressure, according to a lawyer
Chen Jianjun, a former official, claimed sleep deprivation and 18-hour sittings in detention, with sketches on toilet paper depicting the harsh conditions
Authorities plan to build more liuzhi centers between 2023-2027, with features like padded walls to prevent self-harm
Authorities plan to build more liuzhi centers between 2023-2027, with features like padded walls to prevent self-harm
A proposed amendment to the supervision law could extend liuzhi detention to 8 months and lacks provisions for legal counsel, sparking controversy