Human Rights in China 2026: When Internal Security Drives a New Global Order and Real-Time Surveillance
The Chinese government views human rights as an internal security matter unique to each nation. Day by day, authorities are rapidly increasing their capacity to monitor citizens in real time through cutting-edge technology, reinforcing the concept of "sovereignty over universal rights."
On the current global political stage, alongside the United States, the People's Republic of China (PRC) stands as a superpower with immense influence in shaping and challenging the global order, including dismantling the concept of "universal human rights." Human Rights Watch's (HRW) "World Report 2026" reflects an unprecedented tightening of grip and social control by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This involves denying fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, association, and religion, while deploying the world's most sophisticated surveillance apparatus to suppress dissidents—whether they are Tibetans, Uyghurs, or Hongkongers.
1. Religion and Belief: Assimilation Under "State Atheism"
The Chinese government officially recognizes only five major religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism. However, this recognition comes with absolute control over everything from religious practices and the selection and appointment of spiritual leaders to the thorough auditing of financial transactions across all religious organizations.
Crackdowns on Unregistered Groups and Digital Control
Faith groups that refuse to submit to state control, such as "underground churches" or house churches, face continuous harassment and arrests. Many leaders and members have been sentenced to years in prison on charges of "disloyalty to the Communist Party." Furthermore, the authorities have strictly banned the unauthorized distribution of religious content online and prohibited anyone from conducting religious education for youth outside state-controlled systems.
Case Study: Falun Gong
Falun Gong serves as the clearest example of aggressive eradication. Growing rapidly during the 1990s to reach an estimated 70 to 100 million members, the CCP viewed this massive, autonomous organization operating outside state oversight as a direct threat to national security and the party's legitimacy to rule.
Human Rights Defenders and the "Century of Humiliation" Discourse
Human rights defenders and lawyers who stand up to protect the rights of religious groups are equally targeted for surveillance and harassment. Beijing frequently brands universal human rights concepts as an "ideological tool of the West" (especially the US) used to interfere in domestic affairs and undermine China's stability. While this contains an element of geopolitical truth from their perspective, this discourse is heavily leveraged to legitimize the authoritarian regime's strict societal control.
Additionally, China often links religious proselytization to the "colonial era," pointing out that the West historically used religion to alter indigenous beliefs and weaken cultural resistance. China constantly invokes the painful history of the "Century of Humiliation," during which it was invaded and exploited by foreign powers—events that were historically accompanied by foreign missionary privileges. Consequently, even if modern missionaries act out of pure intentions, their actions are invariably interpreted by the Chinese government as a latent threat to national security.
2. Geopolitical Flashpoints: Tibet and Hong Kong
Beijing continues to deploy distinct strategies to handle areas with highly unique identities like Tibet and Hong Kong, aiming to systematically neutralize any separatist movements.
Tibet: Cultural Assimilation and Economic Co-optation
Within the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), reports indicate that the government is aggressively suppressing local identity. Private schools teaching Tibetan language and culture have been shut down, and children are forced into state schooling where Mandarin is the primary medium of instruction. President Xi Jinping has emphasized that Tibetans must assimilate into communist society, largely driven by Beijing's paranoia over independence movements, which historically escalated to tragic waves of self-immolation to protest state policies.
Despite state efforts to diminish the influence of the Dalai Lama, the majority of Tibetans still revere him as their supreme spiritual leader. Shifting this devotion toward the Communist Party remains Beijing’s ultimate goal. Currently, China heavily utilizes "economic and infrastructure development" as a core tool to win over the population, while transitioning Tibetans away from traditional nomadic lifestyles into modernized urban settlements, thereby diluting religious influence and dismantling traditional ways of life.
Hong Kong: National Security Law and the Cage-Home Crisis
Following the massive protests, the Hong Kong government, under Beijing's strict guidance, has used the National Security Law as its primary weapon to thoroughly dismantle pro-democracy factions. A prominent example occurred last year (2025) when the Hong Kong High Court sentenced Jimmy Lai, founder of the Apple Daily newspaper, to life imprisonment on charges of foreign collusion and sedition.
The slogan "Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong!" that once resonated globally reflected Hongkongers' desire to determine their own destiny. However, for Beijing, this crossed an absolute red line. Faced with a choice between maintaining overall stability for a population of 1.4 billion or capitulating to the demands of 7 million Hongkongers, the central government will always prioritize the former. China stands ready to execute ultimate measures—mirroring its military threats regarding Taiwan’s potential independence or the historical precedent of Tiananmen Square—a reality that protest leaders understand all too well.
The Hidden Trigger: Beyond pure politics, the resentment among Hongkongers is deeply rooted in socioeconomic hardships. Currently, more than 200,000 Hong Kong residents are forced to live in cramped spaces known as "cage homes" or "coffin homes" due to skyrocketing living costs and real estate prices. This staggering economic inequality acts as a persistent tinderbox, capable of igniting renewed unrest if left unaddressed.
3. Xinjiang Uyghur: Control and Forced Labor in Global Supply Chains
According to Human Rights Watch, since 2016, the Chinese government has conducted widespread human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The objective is to fundamentally alter the lifestyle and religious identity of Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities, forcing them to pledge absolute loyalty to the CCP.
Transformation of Religious Sites: Reports show that numerous mosques have been demolished or repurposed into cafes and tourist attractions. While the government claims there are too many mosques, observers view this as a deliberate policy to dismantle smaller neighborhood mosques, compelling Muslims to gather only in a few large, highly monitored facilities equipped with extensive state surveillance.
Forced Labor: Authorities have transferred large numbers of Uyghurs to work in industrial factories or agricultural fields (such as cotton farms) across the country. These workers are left with no choice but to comply out of fear of criminal charges or being sent to internment camps. This has evolved into a major global issue, with human rights organizations tracing how Xinjiang outputs feed into the supply chains of multinational brands, severely impacting corporate reputations and leading to international trade boycotts.
Although Beijing denies all allegations, from a strategic standpoint, the Chinese government explicitly outlines its targets as "The Three Evil Forces": terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism. Consequently, the Xinjiang region is treated as a critical geopolitical zone that must be controlled completely, alongside active geopolitical pressure on neighboring countries to repatriate fled individuals.
Summary Overview: Human Rights Issues Across Three Strategic Areas
| Target Area | Core Focus of Control | State Tools & Mechanisms | Social Risk / Trigger |
| Tibet | Cultural assimilation & reducing the role of the spiritual leader | Closing local language schools, relocating nomads to cities, using economic co-optation | Deep-rooted devotion to the Dalai Lama and the erosion of original identity |
| Hong Kong | Suppressing pro-democracy factions & centralizing power to Beijing | National Security Law, shutting down independent media, sentencing leaders to life imprisonment | Economic hardships, extreme inequality, and residents living in "coffin homes" |
| Xinjiang Uyghur | Eradicating extremism & organizing Muslim ethnic identities | Demolishing mosques, forced labor in industrial systems, political re-education camps | Resistance driven by separatist ideologies and international supply chain boycotts |
4. The Era of Surveillance: Real-Time Citizen Monitoring
While the discourse surrounding human rights in China may seem like a repetitive narrative told over decades, what has changed fundamentally today is the sheer "capability of technology." The Chinese government remains indifferent to international criticism because, for them, "internal stability and the survival of the party" override all else, and any sign of defiance is a danger that must be nipped in the bud.
As a communist government, China is well known for its tight grip on society. Yet, from an administrative standpoint, managing a population of 1.4 billion across a vast territory is an immense challenge, especially under constant pressure from Western superpowers who view China as a geopolitical rival to be contained. Consequently, the future control system is poised to become tighter and highly efficient, driven by the following innovations:
Facial & Biometric Surveillance: In regions like Xinjiang and major metropolitan areas, advanced facial recognition is integrated with biometric data collection (such as DNA and iris scans) to monitor the movements of targeted groups 24/7.
Digital Yuan (e-CNY) and Financial Control: The rapid expansion of the digital yuan allows every single online financial transaction to be recorded and audited by the central bank. The state possesses the capacity to immediately freeze the digital wallets of dissidents or individuals with low Social Credit scores.
Artificial Intelligence Integration: AI is deployed to process massive amounts of behavioral data to detect "anomalous activities" before protests or offenses can manifest. This grants the government the ability to manage and track its citizens truly in real time.
The world is rapidly moving into an era where deep surveillance technology becomes normalized. The Chinese government views this path as the defense of its sovereignty and a refusal of external intervention. However, in the eyes of the international community, China is functioning as the "pioneer and blueprint" for digital authoritarianism, demonstrating to the world how a state can drive robust economic growth while seamlessly maintaining total control over the rights and freedoms of its people.
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References :
1. Human Rights Watch. (2026, February). World Report 2026. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2026/01/WR2026%20web_2.pdf
2. U.S. State Department. (2018, September). Country Reports on Terrorism 2017. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/283100.pdf
3. Uighur mosques closed by Beijing, handed over for tourist use. (2020, October 15). The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved from http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13821568
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