Chinese Citizen Journalist Who Disappeared After Exposing Wuhan Conditions Reappears After 600 Days

Citizen journalist Chen Chusu (35), who disappeared while reporting on the COVID-19 situation in Wuhan, China, last January, has shared an update after about 600 days.
[Photo by YouTube capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A citizen journalist who disappeared while reporting on the COVID-19 situation in Wuhan, China, has shared an update after about 600 days.

On the 1st (local time), the US Wall Street Journal reported that Chen Qiusu (35), a Chinese citizen journalist and former local lawyer, recently appeared on the YouTube channel of his friend and mixed martial arts fighter Xu Xiaodong.

In the video, Chen Qiusu said, "I have experienced a lot over the past 1 year and 8 months," adding, "there are things I can say, but there are things I cannot say." He then added, "I believe you will understand."

Xu Xiaodong expressed gratitude through YouTube comments, saying, "Thank you for your concern," and "Chen Qiusu's condition is currently good."

Previously, in January last year, Chen Qiusu entered Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, and vividly reported the situation on the ground to the world.

At that time, Chen Qiusu posted videos on social media showing hospital visits in Wuhan. Through the videos, he revealed the poor conditions of the wards and even secretly filmed at hospital funeral homes to highlight discrepancies between the actual death toll and the official figures announced by China.

He also appealed to the world for help, saying, "There are people dying without proper treatment. There is a shortage of masks and all medical supplies."

However, Chen Qiusu soon lost contact and disappeared without a trace. Later, his family reported that they only received notification from Chinese authorities that he had been quarantined. News of his whereabouts, which had been unknown, resurfaced in the media last April.

At that time, Hong Kong's Ming Pao reported that Chen Qiusu, who had been detained by authorities, was released and returned to his family after one year.