Dalian Polytechnic University’s decision to expel a student for reportedly damaging national dignity through her interaction with a foreign gamer triggers a national conversation about gender and cultural norms.
Chinese University Faces Outcry After Expelling Student over Foreign Interaction
Chinese University Faces Outcry After Expelling Student over Foreign Interaction
A Chinese university expels a female student due to alleged 'improper contact' with a foreigner, igniting debates on sexism and national dignity.
Dalian Polytechnic University in northeastern China recently made headlines after deciding to expel a female student for having had “improper contact with a foreigner.” The institution cited that the student’s actions had “damaged national dignity” after videos of her with a Ukrainian gamer surfaced online, suggesting they may have been intimate.
The announcement led to a heated online debate, with reactions deeply divided. Some commentators expressed support for the university's decision, claiming that Chinese citizens, especially women, were increasingly overly enamored with foreigners. Conversely, many condemned the expulsion as sexist and paternalistic, pointing out the disparity between the treatment of the female student and that of individuals accused of more severe offenses like sexual harassment on campus who received less severe consequences.
Critics particularly denounced the university for publicly identifying the student by her full name on its website, considering it a form of shaming. Zhao Hong, a law professor at Peking University, condemned this practice, stating in an opinion piece that the true violators of national dignity were those online who humiliated the student under a guise of justice, alongside the institution that dished out punishment based on outdated moral standards.
According to the university, the incident took place on December 16, and while it did not disclose specifics about the student’s conduct, it referenced a regulation concerning civic morality, which outlines that those who engage in “improper contact” with foreigners could face severe penalties.
The regulation states that individuals harming national dignity and the university's reputation shall receive a demerit or worse, depending on the circumstances. The fallout from this decision continues to evolve as discussions around cultural norms and gender equality in China grow increasingly relevant.
