Hong Kong's China Labor Bulletin Ceases Operations Amid Financial Woes

The renowned China Labor Bulletin, an organization monitoring labor issues and protests within China, has announced its closure due to significant financial struggles, highlighting the worsening conditions for civil society in the region.

China Labor Bulletin, based in Hong Kong, has been a pivotal group in tracking labor unrest across China since its establishment in 1994 by Han Dongfang, a veteran of the Tiananmen Square protests. On June 12, 2025, the organization revealed that it would dissolve, citing "financial difficulties and debt issues" that made it impossible to continue its operations. Consequently, the group will halt updates to its website and social media.

Originally a vital resource for journalists and researchers, China Labor Bulletin closely monitored labor disputes and provided regular updates on strikes nationwide. However, as the environment for civil society in China deteriorated, Han shifted the focus of the organization to highlight labor issues linked to foreign companies governed by international laws.

Over the years, Han, who remained one of the last active labor rights advocates in the region, faced increasing risks associated with Beijing's tightening grip on civil liberties since the onset of the national security law in Hong Kong in 2020. This law has created a hostile environment for activists, forcing many groups to shutter or withdraw.

Despite the mounting pressure, Han chose to keep his organization operational from Hong Kong, where he openly acknowledged being under surveillance by state security. But as officials increasingly leverage national security laws to arrest advocates linked to foreign funding, the future for groups like China Labor Bulletin appears bleak.

Just days after the announcement of their shutdown, Beijing’s national security authorities conducted a raid on homes and an organization in Hong Kong, targeting individuals allegedly involved in activities against national security. The crackdown reflects an ongoing trend of legal actions against activists, demonstrating the precarious reality for civil society in Hong Kong today.