China’s #MeToo Movement Gains Force Despite Govt Clampdown

Allegations against TV host Zhu Jun sent Twitter into a meltdown.

Twitter users shared these graphics in support of China’s #MeToo movement.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

Zhu Jun, a popular TV host for China Central Television (CCTV), was accused of sexual harassment by a former intern of the same organisation.

In the article posted on Weibo — a Chinese microblogging site — the woman said that she was inspired by the wave of women who came forward this week with their stories of sexual assault in the media industry, reported SupChina.

Around twenty women in China reportedly came out on social media with allegations against former bosses in the past week.

Among the accused are a Chinese anti-discrimination campaigner, an environmentalist, three journalists, an academic, and two badminton coaches, besides Zhu Jun.

#MeTooChina Trends on Twitter

The news of allegations against the TV host sent Twitter into a meltdown with tweeple referring to these events as China’s own #MeToo movement.

“Why Can’t We Face the Truth?” ask Tweeple

Chinese government reacted by censoring hundreds of social media posts supporting the #MeToo campaign, leading to further outrage.

However, despite the Chinese government’s efforts, Twitter users continued to use a number of hashtags including #MeTooChina to narrate their own stories of sexual assault and to support women in China who were doing the same.