Bai Zhaodong

Bai Zhaodong is a Chinese journalist based in Thailand.

Career Bai worked as an investigative journalist in China for 25 years, most recently at Beijing Caijing Magazine and Caixin. Bai focused on reporting on high-level corruption along with the impacts of Xi Jinping's poverty alleviation policies.

2026 detention in Thailand Bai was detained by Thai immigration authorities in January 2026.

On 13 July 2026, Bai appeared on a Human Rights Watch (HRW) list of Chinese dissidents in Thailand at risk of being deported back to Thailand, along with Zhang Xinyan, Tan Yixiang, and Zhou Junyi.

On 15 July 2026, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Safeguard Defenders issued a statement calling on Thailand to half Bai's extradition, writing, "Following the forceful return of 40 Uyghurs to China last year, the international community must be clear that at stake is not only Bai and others' wellbeing, but Thailand's international image itself."

On 20 July 2026, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) issued a joint statement against Bai's possible deportation to China.

On 5 August 2026, The Wall Street Journal's editorial board published an opinion criticizing China's detention of Bai, writing that the "Trump Administration can help by raising Mr. Bai’s case with Thailand."