Chinese Artist Gao Xun Appeals After Being Sentenced to Three Years for Satirical Works on Mao

March 11, 2025 — Exterior of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. On this day, the CCP’s National People's Congress concluded. (Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images)

[People News] Chinese artist Gao Xun was sentenced to three years in prison by the Sanhe City Court in Hebei Province on August 25 for 'damaging the reputation and honor of heroes and martyrs.' The case involves several satirical works about Mao Zedong that were created between 2005 and 2009, well before the relevant criminal laws were enacted over a decade ago. Gao Xun has decided to appeal the ruling.

In an interview with Radio Free Asia on Thursday (27th), Gao Xun's friend and fellow artist Du Yinghong stated that Gao has never pleaded guilty and that his health has significantly deteriorated during his detention. He emphasized, 'Mr. Gao Xun and his family lawyer have clearly indicated their intention to appeal, which is crucial because Mr. Gao has never admitted guilt. Despite facing serious health issues in prison, he remains committed to the independence of his artistic expression. Under extreme pressure and coercion, in this very challenging situation, he exemplifies the qualities of a truly independent artist, which is a noble trait.'

Radio Free Asia reported that sources present at the trial indicated that Gao Xun declared during the sentencing, 'I will never plead guilty!'

On the 26th, the U.S. State Department expressed serious concern regarding Gao Xun's sentencing. A spokesperson noted that the actions involved in Gao's case occurred prior to the enactment of the laws under which he was convicted, and the U.S. will continue to advocate for freedom of expression, including the right to express oneself through artistic means.

On the day of the sentencing, August 25, diplomatic representatives from the EU, the U.S., and another country attempted to enter the Sanhe City Court in Hebei but were denied access. Gao Xun's wife, lawyer, and friends were also waiting outside the court.

Witnesses at the scene reported that the entire sentencing process lasted just over twenty minutes. Following the conclusion of the sentencing, Gao Xun did not leave through the main entrance of the court; instead, he was taken away through a special side door, missing the opportunity to meet with his wife, lawyer, friends, and diplomatic personnel who were waiting outside.

Gao Xun's wife, Zhao Yaliang, expressed her outrage upon hearing the verdict. She mentioned that she had been unable to find peace since learning the outcome, stating, "This is heartbreaking."

The works for which Gao Xun was prosecuted include "Execution of Christ," "Kneeling Confession of Mao," and "Miss Mao," among others. In 2018, China enacted the "Heroic Martyrs Protection Law," and the "Criminal Law Amendment (XI)" that came into effect in March 2021 introduced criminal provisions concerning the infringement of the reputation and honor of heroic martyrs, with a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Gao Xun received a three-year sentence, which is the maximum penalty for this charge.

Bai Shuran, Deputy Director for the Asia-Pacific region at Amnesty International, stated that artists should not face criminal charges for creating works that challenge official historical narratives and encourage reflection on history. She argued that the Gao Xun case highlights the use of vaguely defined laws to restrict artists and others with differing opinions from expressing themselves, while also raising concerns about the retroactive application of the law.

Du Yinghong also questioned whether Mao Zedong qualifies as a "heroic martyr" under the relevant laws. He remarked, "As for Mao Zedong being classified as a heroic martyr by them, this is not actually defined by Chinese law. The legal definition in China pertains to those who sacrificed themselves for the so-called cause of national justice, and Mao Zedong died naturally after a long illness at the age of eighty-three, so the conviction of Gao Xun is indeed problematic."

In response to the case being tried in secret, Du Yinghong stated, "This case has always been conducted in secrecy. The reasons they have provided are based on privacy concerns, which are completely at odds with the facts. This case is fundamentally a political persecution of the artist, and it has nothing to do with privacy. Furthermore, the artist wishes for these cases to be examples that the entire world should understand publicly."

Gao Yu was taken by police from his studio in Yanjiao, Hebei, on August 26, 2024, and was subsequently detained at the Sanhe City Detention Center. Gao Yu had originally planned to return to New York via Tokyo on September 3. On December 14, 2025, his lawyer's application for bail was denied. On March 30 of this year, the case was heard behind closed doors at the Sanhe City Court in Hebei, with family members not permitted to attend.

Gao Yu relocated to the United States in 2022. He and his wife Zhao Yaliang are both Chinese citizens and U.S. permanent residents, while their 7-year-old son is a U.S. citizen. Following Gao Yu's arrest, Zhao Yaliang and their son have faced exit restrictions, preventing their son from returning to New York for school. Amnesty International has reported that Gao Yu's wife and son have not been criminally charged but continue to experience restrictions on their ability to leave the country.

During an interview, Chinese freelance writer He Sanpo quoted Hannah Arendt: "As a regime increasingly lacks common recognition, it will increasingly rely on police, military, prisons, censorship, arrests, and punishment. What it needs may not be genuine power, but rather a demonstration of the violent machinery that follows a deficiency of power."

He Sanpo stated, "Punishing one person serves to make ten thousand others aware. It aims to instill fear deep within the hearts of everyone. Thus, I argue that the most frightening aspect of totalitarianism is not merely the eradication of opponents, but the unpredictability of who might be the next target. When the lines of punishment become indistinct, individuals start to self-regulate, self-censor, and even take the initiative to demonstrate their loyalty and reliability. This is exactly what makes totalitarian regimes so terrifying."

Following Gao Xun's appeal, issues such as legal retroactivity, artistic expression, and restrictions on family members' ability to leave the country will continue to accompany the case as it progresses to the next stage.
△