- Gao Zhen, a 70-year-old New York–based artist known for satirical sculptures of Mao, was sentenced in China to three years for "defaming national heroes" after a closed-door trial; he was detained in August 2024 during a visit.
- The U.S. State Department said it has "significant concerns," noting the charges relate to actions before the law was enacted, and reported that diplomats were denied entry to the sentencing hearing.
- Gao’s wife and his U.S.-citizen son have been blocked from leaving China since his detention, underscoring the personal and diplomatic fallout.
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