Ai Weiwei Returns to China After Decade-Long Exile, Plans Manchester Exhibition
In mid-December 2025, Ai Weiwei, the renowned Chinese artist and activist, returned to China for the first time since his exile in 2015, which followed his detention in 2011 over tax evasion allegations. His three-week visit featured a nearly two-hour interrogation at Beijing Capital International Airport, which he later characterized as "smooth" and "pleasant." Ai suggested that China might be experiencing an "upward phase" in terms of personal liberties. During his ten years abroad, he resided in Germany, the UK, and Portugal, producing notable works such as Coronation (2020) and Cockroach (2020). He is currently preparing for his exhibition "Ai Weiwei: Button Up!" in Manchester, set to open on July 2 and continue until September 6.
Key facts
- Ai Weiwei returned to China in mid-December 2025 after 10 years abroad
- He was detained in 2011 on tax evasion charges seen as political retaliation
- His 2009 installation Remembering commemorated children killed in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake
- He lived in Germany, the UK, and Portugal during his exile
- His recent works include Coronation (2020), Cockroach (2020), and Rohingya (2021)
- He was questioned for nearly two hours at Beijing Capital International Airport
- He described his return as "smooth" and "pleasant" to CNN
- His exhibition "Ai Weiwei: Button Up!" opens in Manchester on July 2
Entities
Artists
- Ai Weiwei
- Minnie Chan
Institutions
- The Guardian
- CNN
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- China
- Beijing
- Sichuan
- Wuhan
- Hong Kong
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- UK
- Portugal
- Manchester
- Myanmar