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Vicky Xu

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In this Chinese name, the family name is Xu 许.
Vicky Xu
许微其
Born
许秀中 (Xǔ Xiùzhōng)

(1994-10-19) October 19, 1994 (age 30)
Jiayuguan City, Gansu, China
Occupation(s)Journalist, Policy Analyst
Academic background
Alma mater
Academic work
InstitutionsAustralian Strategic Policy Institute
Main interestsHuman rights in China
Notable worksUyghurs for Sale (2020)

Vicky Xu (Chinese: 许微其; pinyin: Xǔ Wēiqí; born 1994), previously known as Vicky Xiuzhong Xu (Chinese: 许秀中; pinyin: Xǔ Xiùzhōng),[1] is a China-born Australian journalist and writer. She is known for her investigative journalism on human rights in China,[2][3][4][5] particularly for her 2020 report, Uyghurs for Sale, which examined state-sponsored Uyghur forced labor affecting global supply chains.[6] The report has been cited by various media outlets, legislators, and legal authorities in Australia, the United States, and Europe.[7][8][9][10]

Xu has served as a Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and previously worked as a journalist for The New York Times. She regularly appears on international television and radio as a China expert and commentator.[11] In 2020, Xu participated in a rare debate on Australian national television with Xining Wang, then Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Australia.[12][13] This debate marked the first recorded live exchange between a senior Chinese government representative and a Chinese citizen. Xu has since renounced her Chinese citizenship.[14][12]

In 2021, the Chinese government initiated a transnational repression campaign against Xu, involving the prolonged interrogation of a close friend,[15] and a propaganda campaign. Chinese state media referred to her as a “race traitor” and a "witch".[16][17][18] In 2023, Xu revealed during an Australian parliamentary inquiry that the state persecution had damaged her connections with family and friends in China. In 2024, she disclosed to the media that she had moved to Taipei and taken up mixed martial arts.[19]

Early life

[edit]

Xu was born in Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, China.[2] Her birth name, "Xiuzhong," reflects her parents' aspiration for their daughter to be "beautiful on the outside, and intelligent on the inside." Xu's working-class upbringing saw her parents making substantial sacrifices for her education, including paying for violin, English, and Olympic mathematics lessons.[20]

A high-achieving student, Xu ranked first in her city on the high school entrance exam and earned a bronze medal in Gansu Province's Olympiad mathematics competition.[20] She studied English broadcasting at the Communication University of China in Beijing, following a competitive national selection process.[2][21]

During a 2014 gap year, Xu taught Mandarin at a high school in Perth, Australia. While there, she encountered Mike Chinoy's documentary on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, a subject censored in China.[2][22] This revelation prompted her to reevaluate her previous views on Chinese politics.[2]

Instead of returning to Beijing, Xu pursued a degree in political science at the University of Melbourne.[23] She also completed a six-month exchange semester at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she interned at the Truman Institute.[3] Her academic and journalistic experiences, including interviews with Chinese dissidents such as Wu Lebao, shaped her perspectives.[2]

Career

[edit]
Xu appearing on ABC's Q+A in 2021

Xu began her journalism career as a freelancer for The New York Times in her second year at the University of Melbourne. After graduating, she worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation,[24][3][4][5] The New York Times,[25][26][27] and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.[2][3][4] Her reporting has covered a range of topics, including geopolitics,[28] business,[29] human rights issues,[30] Australian current affairs,[31] and global supply chains[6].

In March 2020, Xu and her team at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute published the report Uyghurs for Sale, which documented evidence showing that Chinese authorities displacing Uyghur people from Xinjiang to other regions in China, then using them as forced labor to manufacture goods for global brands such as Adidas, Apple, BMW and Nike.[6] The report was widely cited by US government agencies, European and Australian parliaments, and various civil society organizations, all of which expressed concerns over China's treatment of ethnic and religious minorities.[32][33][34][35][36]

In addition to her journalism career, Xu has performed stand-up comedy. In 2019, she collaborated with The Chaser comedy group to sell out a show in Sydney.[37][38][20] In 2024, Xu participated in a one-off comedy event in Melbourne alongside Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist who had been detained in China.[39][40] Xu has also appeared on comedy skits produced by Australia's national broadcaster ABC.[38]

In January 2021, Xu's memoir You’re So Brave was announced for publication by Allen & Unwin.[41]

Chinese state persecution

[edit]
Further information: Transnational repression by China

By 2019, Xu and her family faced harassment and threats due to her journalism.[16][15]

In April 2021, Chinese state media launched a smear campaign against her. China Daily labeled Xu as a "traitor," "anti-China witch," and "a pawn in the Western anti-China plot".[42]

By June 2024, Xu had relocated to Taipei and reported ongoing surveillance and intimidation by Chinese security forces.[43] She also changed her name from Xu Xiuzhong to Xu Weiqi and took up training and competing in mixed martial arts in Taiwan.[1][20][19]

In July 2024, the Australian Federal Police reported to the Senate that they had thwarted a foreign intelligence plot targeting Xu and activist Drew Pavlou, who were considered "potential targets of violence."[44]

References

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  1. ^ a b ""前" 许秀中习武想成为 "女小龙" 只身直面国家暴力" ["Former" Xu Xiuzhong learns martial arts to become a "female dragon" and faces state violence alone]. Radio Free Asia. 6 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Vicky thought the Tiananmen Square massacre was fake. Then her world changed". ABC News. 8 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Vicky Xiuzhong Xu". Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Vicky Xiuzhong Xu". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b Bonyhady, Nick (6 September 2019). "Outspoken journalist in Australia and father in China harassed online". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Uyghurs for sale". Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  7. ^ Fifield, Anna (29 February 2020). "China compels Uighurs to work in shoe factory that supplies Nike". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  8. ^ Paton, Elizabeth; Gallois, Léontine; Breeden, Aurelien (2 July 2021). "Fashion Retailers Face Inquiry Over Suspected Ties to Forced Labor in China (Published 2021)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  9. ^ China & Uighurs: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO), 26 July 2020, archived from the original on 17 December 2023, retrieved 28 July 2023
  10. ^ "McCaul Statement on 'Uyghurs for Sale' Report". United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  11. ^ "The personal cost of exposing human rights issues | Vicky Xu on Australian Story | Now living in Australia, the Chinese journalist who exposed "modern slavery" in big-brand factories in China has been told it's not safe for her to... | By ABC TV + iview - Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  12. ^ a b McGowan, Michael (24 February 2020). "Q&A: Chinese diplomat grilled over Uighurs and coronavirus response". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  13. ^ Bonyhady, Nick (24 February 2020). "Chinese embassy official faces hard questions on Q+A". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  14. ^ Australia and China: A Healthy Relationship? | Q+A (Reupload), 23 August 2020, archived from the original on 17 October 2023, retrieved 28 July 2023
  15. ^ a b "China's intimidation tactics laid bare in accusations by Q+A panellist Vicky Xu". ABC News. 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  16. ^ a b Kuo, Lily; Shih, Gerry (7 April 2021). "China researchers face abuse, sanctions as Beijing looks to silence critics". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  17. ^ "一个售卖肉体和灵魂的人——澳大利亚反华女妖许秀中|美国|澳洲_网易订阅" [A person who sells body and soul——Australian anti-China witch Xu Xiuzhong]. 163.com (in Chinese). 27 July 2023. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  18. ^ Hannaford, Patrick (21 April 2023). "China's extraordinary harassment of Australian citizens revealed". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  19. ^ a b Hsia, Hsiao-hwa (6 June 2024). "Australian journalist Vicky Xu starts a new life in Taiwan". Radio Free Asia. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d 陳虹瑾 (3 June 2024). "【一鏡到底】我想抱抱習近平 獨家專訪許微其：中國跨境鎮壓下的「辱華妖女」" [I Want to Hug Xi Jinping Exclusive Interview with Xu Weiqi: The "China-Insulting Witch" under China's Cross-border Repression]. Mirror Media (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  21. ^ "中国传媒大学 2011 年自主选拔录取招生简章" [Communication University of China 2011 Independent Selection and Admissions Brochure] (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  22. ^ "Public Event with Mike Chinoy, former CNN Beijing Bureau Chief". Facebook. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  23. ^ "Sneaking Into a Chinese Village Where Floodwater and Unrest Linger". The New York Times.
  24. ^ "Vicky thought the Tiananmen Square massacre was fake. Then her world changed". ABC News. 8 March 2020. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  25. ^ Xu, Vicky (8 August 2016). "Sneaking Into a Chinese Village Where Floodwater and Unrest Linger". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  26. ^ Cave, Damien (21 September 2017). "The New York Times in Australia? Yes. Here's Why". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  27. ^ Tarabay, Jamie (15 May 2019). "Bill Shorten Wants Australia to Embrace China. But at What Cost?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  28. ^ "India and Australia Move to Tighten Bonds to Counter China's Rise". The New York Times.
  29. ^ "New Zealand Blocks Huawei, in Blow to Chinese Telecom Giant". The New York Times.
  30. ^ "In Australia, Muslims Call for Pressure on China Over Missing Relatives". The New York Times.
  31. ^ "Australian Taxi Drivers Sue Uber Over Lost Wages in Class-Action Lawsuit". The New York Times.
  32. ^ "Against Their Will: The Situation in Xinjiang". United States Department of Labor. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Uyghur forced labour: Who will take a stand?". leidenlawblog.nl. 24 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  34. ^ Glavin, Terry (27 July 2020). "Will Canada stand with Uyghurs—and against 'modern slavery?'". Maclean's. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  35. ^ "Texts adopted - Forced labour and the situation of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region - Thursday, 17 December 2020". www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Chapter 2 The evidence base". Parliament of Australia.
  37. ^ Xu, Vicky Xiuzhong (19 August 2019). "Blinkered Chinese nationalists are trolling me - but once I was one of them". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  38. ^ a b "The best and the worst of Lunar New Year | Comedians Vicky Xu and Michael Hing talk us through their Lunar New Year traditions. How does your family celebrate? | By ABC Sydney | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  39. ^ Kolovos, Benita (13 June 2024). "'Thanks for the free rent': Cheng Lei jokes about China detention in comedy debut". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  40. ^ "'Doing justice to freedom': ex-detainee Cheng Lei to make comedy debut". Australian Financial Review. 12 June 2024. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  41. ^ "A&U acquires Xu memoir 'You're So Brave'". Books+Publishing. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  42. ^ "移居海外又反华的许秀中，不过是颗棋子而已" [Xu Xiuzhong, who moved overseas and is anti-China, is just a pawn]. China Daily (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  43. ^ Xu, Vicky (6 April 2024). "How it feels to live under surveillance by China". The Saturday Paper. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  44. ^ Paterson, James (3 July 2024). AFP addresses foreign surveillance of Australian nationals. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024 – via YouTube.
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