China Asks Thailand to Extradite Journalist Amid Persecution Fears

China has requested Thailand to promptly extradite a Chinese journalist who has been investigating government corruption, raising concerns among human rights groups that he could face political persecution and torture if sent back home. Bai Zhaodong, who fled China in 2023 and has an arrest warrant issued against him by China's Public Security Bureau in 2024, has been detained by Thai authorities since January and is held at the Suan Phlu immigration detention centre in Bangkok. This is according to Reporters Without Borders and Safeguard Defenders, an Asia-focused rights group. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that Bai is suspected of extortion and bribery by a non-public servant, adding that "the Chinese government protects its citizens’ freedom of speech according to law." While the Thai foreign ministry has not immediately responded to requests for comment, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is currently on a five-day official visit to China, where he is expected to meet President Xi Jinping. Also held at the Suan Phlu centre is Zhang Xinyan, an activist facing arrest warrants from Hong Kong police under the National Security Law. She was reportedly at risk of deportation from Thailand despite holding refugee status, rights groups noted. Safeguard Defenders warned that Bai faces a "foreseeable, present, personal and real risk of political persecution, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and other serious human rights violations" if forcibly returned to China. Reporters Without Borders highlighted China's notorious record of systematically persecuting journalists, stating that Bai's personal safety would be gravely endangered.