In a controversial move, Dalian Polytechnic University in northeastern China announced the expulsion of a female student due to her alleged "improper contact with a foreigner," which the school claimed had "damaged national dignity." The decision came after videos surfaced online showing the student interacting with a Ukrainian video gamer, sparking intense debate across social media platforms.
Supporters of the university's decision defended it by arguing that it highlighted concerns over Chinese individuals, especially women, being overly attracted to foreigners. However, critics condemned the university for what they described as an act of sexism and criticized the public shaming involved in releasing her full name and the details of her expulsion.
Legal scholar Zhao Hong from Peking University publicly criticized the university's actions, suggesting that the true underminer of "national dignity" was not the student but rather the online mob that fueled her humiliation and the institution that enacted such morally outdated standards. The university's announcement pointed to a specific incident on December 16, stating that the student's actions had negative repercussions but failed to disclose further information regarding the incident.
The expulsion was executed under a university regulation aimed at maintaining civic morality, stating that students engaging in "improper contact with foreigners" would face disciplinary actions. As discussions unfold, the incident raises broader questions about privacy, national identity, and the role of educational institutions in navigating complex societal norms in China.
