In Chengdu, Sichuan Province, two investigative journalists, Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao, were detained by police in early February 2026. The journalists had recently published a report exposing alleged corruption by Pu Fayou, the Communist Party Secretary of Pujiang County. Authorities acted swiftly after the report appeared online.
The report, shared on the social media platform WeChat, described serious misconduct by local government officials. It claimed that Pu Fayou and other county leaders had interfered with a private project that was almost finished. According to the report, officials had invalidated agreements, frozen project funds, and redirected resources in ways that appeared to benefit themselves. The publication suggested that these actions may have been for personal gain rather than public interest.
Shortly after the report was published, it was deleted from WeChat, and the journalists were taken into custody. Police said Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao were being investigated for making false accusations and illegal business activities. These charges are often used in China in cases where reporters expose government misconduct.
The detention came just days after the report went online, highlighting the speed with which authorities respond to critical reporting. Social media users who had shared or discussed the story also faced scrutiny, reflecting the controlled environment for online discussion in the region.
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Investigative Journalism Faces Growing Pressure
Both Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao are known for in-depth investigative reporting on corruption and government misconduct. Liu Hu had previously been detained in 2013 for reporting on official wrongdoing and spent nearly a year in custody before being released. This history highlights the ongoing risks faced by journalists in China who investigate officials and expose wrongdoing.
The report provided specific details about how Pu Fayou and other officials allegedly mismanaged project funds. It described how officials interfered in private business contracts and government-supported projects, potentially redirecting public resources for personal enrichment. This reporting drew attention quickly, but authorities removed the post, limiting public access.
International media and press freedom organizations have expressed concern over the detention, describing it as a serious threat to independent journalism. They pointed out that investigative reporters play a crucial role in holding local officials accountable, and restrictions on their work reduce transparency and public oversight.
The detention of Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao is particularly notable because the report had already attracted significant online attention. The story’s removal demonstrates the measures authorities take to control sensitive information, even after it has begun circulating widely.
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Facts, Charges, and Timeline
Authorities have confirmed that Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao are being held on charges of making false accusations and illegal business operations, though no further details about the investigation have been released.
The timeline of events is clear: the report was published on January 29, 2026, highlighting alleged corruption in Pujiang County. It focused on misuse of funds, interference with private business projects, and potential personal enrichment by Pu Fayou and other local officials. The report quickly drew attention online, and within days, it was removed by the social media platform. The journalists were then detained in early February 2026.
This case highlights the dangers faced by investigative journalists in China, where reporting on corruption can quickly trigger legal action. Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao’s work brought attention to alleged misconduct in a county government office, but it also led to their immediate detention. Their case has already drawn international scrutiny, with media rights organizations condemning the action as an attack on press freedom.
The detention illustrates the delicate environment for independent journalism in China. While investigative reporting can reveal corruption and mismanagement, journalists who produce such reports often face swift consequences, including removal of their work and legal detention.