Liuzhi detention centers are part of China’s expanded detention facility, where suspects can be held for up to six months without legal counsel and without visits from family and friends. The growing rapidity of this network of specialist facilities since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012 is part of a continued effort to battle corruption while increasing his control over the Communist Party and public institutions. The detention centers now sit at the center of efforts to crack down on corruption that has reached party boundaries and now stretches to even the business sectors and up to local government officials themselves.
Purpose and Function of Liuzhi Centers
The liuzhi system was introduced in 2018 and was meant to replace the controversial “shuanggui” system criticized for various human rights abuses, mainly torture. Liuzhi centers are meant to be holding cells for individuals believed to have engaged in acts of corruption for an extensive period of time, six months, without access to legal representatives or visits by family members. The centres are designed with padded walls, surveillance cameras, and round-the-clock guards.
Not limited to Communist Party officials, the Liuzhi centers detain those exercising “public power” such as civil servants, managers of public institutions and, not least, businesspeople accused of bribery. Meaning, with the expansive definition of “public power” by the government, many people fall under this system, ranging from high-profile figures, such as billionaire investment banker Bao Fan and former soccer star Li Tie, who have been charged with corruption.
Expansion and Development of Liuzhi Sites
Between 2017 and November 2024, over 218 liuzhi sites were established or expanded in China. Construction of these facilities has increased following the pandemic, showing the current commitment of the government toward further expanding its fight against corruption. The standard building rules by the authorities for such facilities ensure they come up to certain criteria requirements, including preventing detained from self-harm. Detainees are kept far from hurting themselves using pad walls and anti-skid surfaces. According to the government, this is what concerns it when it says individuals are detained for some long time.
Despite the intended objective of preventing harm to detainees, critics argue that the growth of liuzhi centers is part of a control and repression system, allowing local anti-graft agencies to exploit their power by detaining businesspeople and extorting bribes.
Abuse of Power and Forced Confessions
The most criticized aspect of the liuzhi system is the abuse of power and forced confessions. Detainees have been often subjected to serious psychological and physical torture, sleep deprivation, threats, and torture by critics who are lawyers and other advocates for the detainees. Among the most well-known instances is former official Chen Jianjun, who said that he was made to sit for 18 hours per day for six months straight. His daughter corroborated his testimony and included illustrations of his detention on the toilet paper that he drew.
In light of these allegations, the attorneys argue that the detainees tend to succumb to this pressure. This has raised concerns as people confess crimes not even committed just to get rid of such hardships. That raises the concern of unfair judicial procedures and whether political reasons are dominating the systems to settle the scores among businesspeople and officials opposing the present administration.
Legal and Legislative Controversies
The Chinese government has issued a proposed amendment to the national supervision law that requires investigators to follow “lawful, civilized, and standardized” interrogation practices. However, controversy over the amendment has emerged in that it does not discuss the issue of denial of access to legal counsel when detained in liuzhi centers. Critics point out that the extension of the maximum detention period from six to eight months will further erode detainees’ rights and make it more difficult for people to challenge their detention or access necessary legal support.
Some of the voices, including economist Zhou Tianyong, warn the current system may harm China’s economy by discouraging private sector investment. Zhou’s censored article required reforms to ensure that anti-corruption efforts don’t devolve into power abuses by local officials seeking to extract bribes from businesspeople.
International Reactions and Human Rights Issues
The expansion of liuzhi centers has attracted international attention, and human rights organizations and foreign governments have begun to raise concerns over the treatment of detainees in China. Lacking transparency in the system, and allegations of torture and forced confessions, have made calls for reform inevitable. Though the Chinese government argues that this system is essential in combating corruption, it is deemed a repression measure that demeans people’s rights and freedoms by many.
This trend in the growth of liuzhi centers and what seems to be an increase in China’s surveillance and detention capabilities is perceived to be part of a pattern that is increasing control over the population under Xi Jinping’s leadership. Critics point out that these measures are not only used to target corrupt officials but also to silence political opponents and deter dissent.
This fast expansion of the liuzhi detention system speaks of the commitment of the Chinese government towards its anti-corruption campaign. But on the other hand, there are reports of abuse, forced confessions, and human rights violations which cast serious concerns on this system. With the ongoing development and expansion of these detention centers, China faces rising questions from domestic as well as international observers on whether there is a balance between curbing corruption and individual rights.
The government insists that the liuzhi system is necessary to uproot corruption, but critics claim it has become a means of abuse and political control. The debate on the future of the system and possible reforms will most likely shape the course of China’s legal and political landscape in the years ahead.