On 16 October 2009 the Suqian Intermediate People’s Court in Jiangsu province sentenced Guo Quan to ten years in prison and three years of deprivation of political rights for his pro-democracy activities and critical writings. 
Chinese freedom of expression
He was arrested at his home in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, on 13 November 2008 and charged with ‘subversion’ on 18 December 2008. According to the court verdict translated into English by Dui Hua, Guo was charged for a series of articles entitled ‘Herald of Democracy’ posted online between mid-2007 and November 2008, and for founding the opposition the People´s Republic of China New Democracy Party (CNDP).
Guo, 41, is a former criminal-court judge and literature professor at Nanjing Normal University who became renowned online for his anti-Japanese nationalism, criticism of China’s one-party political system, and support for “rights defenders” seeking redress for various forms of social injustice. In 2007, he began posting a series of articles entitled “Herald of Democracy” and announced the formation of the opposition the People´s Republic of China New Democracy Party (CNDP).
Guo wrote several open letters to Chinese leaders and was frequently detained by police, especially around “sensitive” periods. For these actions, he was fired from his university position and expelled from the the People´s Republic of China Democratic League, one of eight “approved” parties in the People´s Republic of China other than the CCP. He has been in police custody in this case for over 11 months.
The English PEN suggests to protest the sentence and send appeals in support of Guo Quan: it is obviously that Guo Quan has conviction to be in violation of his right to expression, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the People´s Republic of China is a signatory – and are therefore calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
Cutting off Internet
According to information of the Reporters Without Borders, the 20th anniversary has led to blocking of some popular websites by Chinese authorities, such as special Twitter site Berlin Twitter Wall website, what allows people to express their comments about the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989 and their related hopes and wishes.
The initiative has had a great response, including in the People´s Republic of China, where nearly 2,000 Internet users had left a message on the virtual wall – most of them demanding an end to censorship in the People´s Republic of China – before access was blocked.
“Chinese Internet users must not be prevented from accessing the Berlin Twitter Wall,” said Reporters Without Borders, which supports 
this interactive campaign. “Initiatives like these are important platforms for the promotion of freedom of speech as well as for critical voices and protest.”
The press freedom organisation added: “Just a few weeks ago, at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Chinese representatives argued in favour of the promotion of cultural exchange. Yet many foreign news outlets and social-networking sites remain inaccessible to Chinese users.”
