In recent days, rights activists in China have drawn attention to what appears to be a Chinese police system that subjects certain individuals to continuous monitoring based on their classification as “key persons.”
Inside a Hidden Monitoring List
In a video posted on April 14, Beijing-based lawyer Chen Xiuyun said police internally classify seven categories of individuals as priority targets for monitoring. These include people linked to alleged terrorism, those deemed threats to “social stability,” individuals with serious criminal records, drug-related offenders, fugitives, people with certain mental health conditions, and petitioners (citizens who file complaints against authorities).Once entered into the system, she said, individuals may face ongoing surveillance and control, meaning that routine actions such as travel, hotel check-ins, or ID verification can automatically trigger alerts to authorities.
More importantly, Chen said, the system operates without issuing formal legal documents. Those affected are typically not informed of their status, and there are no clear mechanisms to challenge inclusion or seek removal.
“The control is part of an internal operational framework,” she said in the video. “People often have no way of confirming whether they are on the list, and once included, it can be very difficult to get off it.”
She added that, unlike criminal records—which in some cases can be sealed under Chinese law—these internal lists lack transparency, oversight, or defined procedures.
Another Beijing-based lawyer, identified only by his surname, Hao, out of fear of reprisal, told The Epoch Times he had long heard of such monitoring lists.
“My impression is that people on these lists are subject to questioning wherever they go,” he said. “They may also be barred from entering certain venues that require ID verification, including some public government facilities.”
Hao said the designation of “key persons” can have far-reaching consequences, potentially restricting what would otherwise be considered basic civil rights.
In his view, many individuals included in such systems have not actually broken the law. Some who have drawn scrutiny from the authorities are petitioners and rights advocates who oppose the regime, he said.
China’s legal framework does grant police certain powers to monitor and restrict specific groups. Laws such as the Counterterrorism Law and the Public Security Administration Punishments Law grant broad discretion to enforcement authorities.
However, the scope of monitoring appears to extend beyond those categories. Groups such as petitioners and activists may be incorporated into surveillance frameworks that do not rely on judicial rulings.
As a result, some individuals who have not broken any laws may still find themselves repeatedly flagged in ID checks, with long-term effects on their mobility and privacy.
A rights activist in Guangxi province, identified by the surname Lei, told The Epoch Times he believes he was placed under such controls.
“My bank card is being restricted,” he said. “The bank said it was due to a notice from the police. When I asked the authorities, they didn’t acknowledge it, but the bank insisted the restriction came from public security.”
Lei said he is not a petitioner but a rights defender.
Surveillance Powered by Data
Lei’s experience reflects a broad, comprehensive surveillance system.In recent years, the Chinese regime has expanded what they describe as “digital governance,” integrating big data analytics, extensive camera networks, and grassroots monitoring systems. These tools are used for risk detection and social management, but they also expand surveillance into everyday life.
