Chengdu Overpass Displays Anti-Communist Banner; 27-Year-Old Mei Shilin Detained

On April 15, 2025, a startling photo began circulating online showing giant anti-Communist Party banners hanging from an overpass in downtown Chengdu, Sichuan Province. One of the banners declared: “The people do not need a party with unchecked power.” (Internet photo)

[People News] Mei Shilin, a 27-year-old from Chengdu, Sichuan, has gone missing after hanging a banner on an overpass in the city earlier this month, calling for political system reform. Sources indicate that the police are investigating whether Mei has any connections abroad and have placed him under criminal detention. Legal analysts suggest that the authorities may charge him with 'picking quarrels and provoking trouble' to minimise the political sensitivity of the case.

According to Radio Free Asia, on the early morning of April 15, three long banners appeared unexpectedly from an overpass outside the Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station, with messages stating: 'Without political system reform, there is no national rejuvenation,' 'The people do not need a party with unchecked power,' and 'China does not need anyone to point the way; democracy is the way.' This bold expression drew significant attention under the night lights and quickly caught the authorities' notice. The young man who hung the banners was soon taken away by the police and has since been unaccounted for.

Informed Sources: Authorities are Investigating Any Foreign Connections

Mr. Qin from Chengdu (who requested anonymity for safety reasons) disclosed to our station on Monday (28th) that the individual who hung the banners is a 27-year-old Mei Shilin. He stated that the authorities are extremely anxious about the incident: 'They are investigating whether he has any foreign background. If he does, he will be handed over to the National Security Bureau for processing and transferred to the municipal National Security Bureau detention centre. If no substantial evidence of collusion with foreign forces is found, the Chengdu police will take over the case. In the past month, the entire Chengdu Public Security Bureau, including the National Security and traffic police, has been on high alert, fearing that another incident might occur, or else the police chief could lose his job.'

Another informed source from Chengdu, Mr. Yang, confirmed to this station that Mei Shilin has been criminally detained by the police. He added that Mei Shilin hails from Yongfu Town in Muchuan County, Sichuan Province, and was employed at a technology company in Chengdu prior to the incident. He stated: 'The young man Mei Shilin, who hung political reform slogans, is from Yongfu Town, Muchuan County, Sichuan Province. He previously worked at a technology company in Chengdu, where he faced unfair treatment in a labour dispute. When he sought assistance from government departments, he was ignored. Such occurrences are actually quite common.' 

According to information from the Rights Protection Network, Mei Shilin was born in January 1998 and had worked at Shenzhen Dashiyue Zhiyuan Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd. His actions are perceived by observers as an imitation of Peng Lifa, who protested at Sitong Bridge in Beijing in 2022 and was arrested for hanging slogans against the CCP's dictatorship, and has since gone missing. 

Mei Shilin had previously informed a few contacts: 'I have been preparing this slogan for a year, and I hope to get some help in spreading it.' He indicated that he had a well-thought-out plan and expressed his determination to sacrifice for his ideals. 

Lawyer: He May be Prosecuted For 'Picking Quarrels and Provoking Trouble' 

Legal expert Lu Chenyuan, in an interview with this station, stated that given the current political climate in China, it is highly likely that Mei Shilin will be charged with 'picking quarrels and provoking trouble': 'The prosecution may file a case under this charge because they do not want to assign a more serious charge, such as inciting subversion of state power. They are currently more inclined to depoliticise the (Mei Shilin case) and diminish its political significance, so I believe the likelihood of being charged with picking quarrels and provoking trouble is very high.'

Overseas Exposure: Public Outcry Resonates

Overseas dissident Du Wen and users of the social media platform X revealed the identity and background of Mei Shilin yesterday. Du Wen disclosed that on the day of the incident, Mei Shilin sent him a 13-second video, photos, and his identification card, stating: "I have prepared this slogan for a year and hope to help spread it." Du Wen advised Mei Shilin to leave China, but Mei insisted on staying, believing that "as a Chinese person, living in such a constrained manner is too much; he wants to shout, even if it means being shattered to pieces."

In response to Mei Shilin's public display of banners, Mr. Yang from Chengdu told our station that Chinese society is under significant pressure, and many young people are increasingly dissatisfied and rebelling against the status quo. He remarked: "Such a high-pressure environment has prompted young people to reflect on the social and political system as a whole. These three large banners convey Mei Shilin's message: without political system reform, there can be no national rejuvenation; the people do not need a party that operates without checks on its power, etc. This kind of emotional expression has actually become quite prevalent in recent years."

At present, Mei Shilin has been out of contact for over ten days. Concerned individuals are urging the international community to continue monitoring his situation to prevent him from facing secret persecution. Meanwhile, netizens have dubbed Mei Shilin as "the Peng Lifang of Sichuan," marking him as another instance of ongoing public protests against authoritarian rule in China since the Sitong Bridge incident.