Mainland Rights Activist Says He Quit As A Lawyer

Mainland human rights activist and lawyer Xie Yanyi said he has decided to quit his profession and leave the All China Lawyers Association – the official professional association for lawyers in the country.

In a statement, Xie said he does not recognise himself as a government-authorised lawyer, nor does he recognise the legal profession under the country's autocratic rule.

Xie was detained for more than 500 days for the alleged crime of "inciting subversion of state power" after the mass crackdown against human rights lawyers and activists in 2015. He was released on bail in 2017, pending trial.

Xie said until the establishment of a China that's founded on democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, he will not call himself a lawyer.

But he said he will continue to use his legal knowledge to help those in need.

He also said he will not change his stance and not give up his fight for justice and civil rights.

Last week, a Now TV journalist was manhandled and briefly detained by police in Beijing while he was covering a lawyers' association hearing on Xie.