2014: In 2014, Xu Yan witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of her husband, Yu Wensheng, as he transitioned focusing on commercial litigation to advocating for human rights. Xu Yan remained a steadfast supporter as her husband represented individuals in human rights cases, a change was partly sparked when Yu Wensheng was denied the right to visit a client who was accused of supporting the Hong Kong Umbrella Movement.
In October, Yu Wensheng was arrested and detained for 99 days, after organising a public protest in response to his involvement in representing this defendant. During his detention, Xu Yan faced numerous challenges navigating the legal system in China. Despite the hurdles, she actively advocated for her husband, publicly criticising the lack of legal basis for his detention.

July 2015: Xu Yan began dedicating herself more fervently to supporting human rights lawyers and defenders, during the notorious "709 Crackdown" orchestrated by the Chinese regime

2016-2017: Xu Yan issued a public message expressing her support for Wang Yu, who had been the first lawyer detained during the crackdown. Later, in 2016 and July 2017, she and Yu Wensheng visited Wang Yu in the Inner Mongolia region after Wang Yu had been held incommunicado.

July 2018: Following Wang Yu’s release, she shared a public message in which she applauded Xu Yan's dedication and commitment to human rights advocacy. Wang Yu highlighted Xu Yan's efforts to assist other human rights lawyers and defenders in the community, expressing admiration for her bravery and determination, which were evident even in the face of significant risks and challenges.

January 2018: Yu Wensheng was detained incommunicado shortly after he published an open letter advocating for political and constitutional reform. Following his detention, Xu Yan travelled across China to champion her husband’s cause and advocate for his release, in which she had to endure consistent harassment, intimidation, and threats by public security officers who urged her to abandon her advocacy efforts. Despite the pressures, Xu Yan persisted fearlessly.

May 2018: Xu Yan met with the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during which she discussed Yu Wensheng’s incommunicado detention. Throughout 2018, Xu Yan faced summonses from public security officers at least three times, being accused of inciting subversion, and during one instance, was tied to a chair during an interrogation.
However, she extended her support to numerous human rights defenders, continuously appealing for the lawyer Wang Quanzhang, assisting individuals like Li Mei and Chen Yuexiu who were assaulted for backing Li Wenzu, and supporting lawyers Sui Muqing and Wen Donghai whose licenses were revoked, even travelling long distances to attend their hearings.

2019: Xu Yan found herself confined to her home during the two sessions that took place March in Beijing. Later, in December, coinciding with the Global Lawyers Forum being hosted in China, she released an open letter imploring international intervention regarding her husband’s unlawful detainment and trial. In the letter, she highlighted the systemic injustices and portrayed her relentless pursuit for justice.

October 2021: Xu Yan managed to meet Yu Wensheng after more than three years of incommunicado detention. After this reunion, she disclosed the improper treatment Yu Wensheng had endured during his time in custody.

13 April 2023: Both Xu Yan and Yu Wensheng (who had been released in March 2022) were apprehended by national security officers while attempting to visit the Delegation of the European Union in Beijing. Since that incident, no further information about their whereabouts has been available. In May, it was revealed that the couple had been charged with "picking quarrels and provoking troubles".

May 2023: Couple were charged with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”