This list consists of these activists who are known as Chinese dissidents. The label is primarily applied to intellectuals who "push the boundaries" of society or criticize the policies of the government. Examples of the former include Wei Hui and Jia Pingwa, whose sexually explicit writings reflect dissent from traditional Chinese culture rather than the laws of the state.
Many Chinese political activists have been detained or jailed or exiled for their pro-democracy or rights defending activities.
Among them are:
'Disappeared' by government in 2009, reappeared in 2010. The Chinese foreign minister claimed a prison sentence was for 'subversion'.
Other detained dissidents: Chen Guangcheng, Gao Yu (journalist), Zhou Fengsuo ()
In some cases, Chinese artists - and especially independent filmmakers - might seek the label of "dissident" for themselves to gain reflexive approval, sympathy, and attention for their work from the West. This phenomenon has led to what Sinologist Geremie Barmé calls the "symbiotic relationship between dissidents and the foreign media".