Jiang Lijun, a human rights activist, was detained by the Chinese police after he publicly signed an Open Letter to the delegates of the 16th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. This letter expressed calls for political reform, the promotion of democracy, and the protection of human rights in China. Jiang's action was significant as it emerged in an environment where dissent was often met with heavy-handed responses from the government, particularly around the times of important political gatherings such as the National Congress.

The Open Letter gained notable media coverage and was signed by multiple prominent activists, stirring both domestic and international reactions. Detained in the lead-up to the congress, Jiang's actions were interpreted as a direct challenge to the Chinese Communist Party's authority and an appeal for change from within the system. His detention raised alarm among human rights organizations, who argued that the crackdown on dissenting voices in China was intensifying as the Congress approached.

The timing of Jiang's detention highlighted the ongoing struggle for civic rights and the suppression of free expression in the country. Despite the risks, the act of signing the letter served to galvanize other activists and further international scrutiny of China's human rights record. Jiang's case became emblematic of the resistance against oppressive governance and the fight for political freedoms in a tightly controlled political environment.