China Tightens Rules on Controversial Detention System
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China’s top law enforcement bodies have jointly issued new regulations to tighten control over “residential surveillance at a designated location,” a controversial measure critics liken to secret detention, by raising the approval threshold and strengthening supervision.
The rules, issued by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security on June 30, 2025, were confirmed to Caixin by a source within the procuratorate system. The document, titled Regulations on Standardizing the Application and Supervision of Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location, began circulating among legal professionals in late October.
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- China issued new regulations on "residential surveillance at a designated location" (RSDL) on June 30, 2025, raising approval standards and enhancing supervision.
- Key changes include city-level police chief approval, mandatory unmonitored lawyer access within 48 hours (except national security/terrorism), separate handling units, and full video recording.
- The move responds to high-profile RSDL abuse cases and seeks to reform rather than abolish the practice amid ongoing legal debate.
- Caixin Media
- Caixin Media is a prominent Chinese financial news outlet. The article references several instances where Caixin reported on specific cases related to "residential surveillance at a designated location" (RSDL) and provided insights from legal professionals and observers. They confirmed details from a source within the procuratorate system regarding new RSDL regulations.
- 2015：
- Former deputy procurator-general Sun Qian wrote that RSDL had often been 'alienated' from its legislative intent and was improperly applied.
- 2019：
- A case in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, saw a suspect deprived of food and sleep during RSDL, resulting in a brain condition and vegetative state.
- April 2024：
- Xing Yanjun, a gaming company executive, was found dead by hanging at an RSDL facility.
- Eight months After April 2024：
- The case against Xing Yanjun was dropped due to 'no evidence of a crime.'
- June 30, 2025：
- Supreme People’s Procuratorate and Ministry of Public Security issued new regulations on RSDL.
- Late October 2025：
- Document detailing new RSDL regulations began circulating among legal professionals.
- 2025：
- New RSDL regulations mandate that except for national security and terrorism cases, defense lawyers must be granted a meeting with their client within 48 hours.
- 2025：
- Interrogations are banned from taking place inside the RSDL facility; all interrogations must be fully recorded with audio and video.
- 2025：
- 24/7 video surveillance inside designated residence must be connected to the police's internal affairs department.
- 2025：
- Lawyer Zhou Xiaoyun commented on the new rules, stressing their effectiveness depends on implementation.
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