Beijing Court Plants Down a High‑Profile #MeToo Showdown
Late on Tuesday (Sept 14), a Beijing court threw out the suit brought by Zhou Xiaoxuan with a verdict that left the fight for justice and the #MeToo movement in China on a thin stack.
Why the Court Said “No”
- Insufficient evidence: The judge ruled there wasn’t enough proof to back Zhou’s claims.
- For the defendant: Television personality Zhu Jun of state broadcaster CCTV denies ever groping or kissing Zhou, and the court sided with him.
What Happened? A Quick Recap
In 2018, Zhou, then 28, launched a series of social media posts accusing Zhu Jun of forcibly kissing and groping her while she was an intern in 2014. Since then, the case drew national attention, but the court’s latest decision could halt momentum for Beijing’s #MeToo push.
Next Steps for the Movement
With the court’s ruling, many activists are calling for a review of evidence standards in sexual‑harassment cases. Still, the conversation about power dynamics and accountability shows no signs of slowing down.
The Bottom Line
Beijing’s legal system has spoken, but the broader dialogue about gender respect and workplace safety continues to warm the hearts of those looking for change.
<img alt="" data-caption="Zhou Xiaoxuan, also known by her online name Xianzi, has her identity card checked as she arrives at a court for a sexual harassment case involving a Chinese state TV host, in Beijing, China, on Sept 14, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”90567f43-13e3-4120-9fe8-5698aeb05395″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/ladey2.jpg”/>
Step‑By‑Step: Zhou’s Viral Accusation Ends Inside Closed‑Door Courts
After her claim exploded across the internet, Zhou filed a lawsuit against Zhu for years of alleged harassment. The first hearing took place only behind closed doors in December 2020, and the second one on Tuesday — also played out in a hush‑hush environment.
What the Court Said (and What It Didn’t Say)
- The Haidian People’s Court issued a judgment that, surprisingly, labeled both parties only by their last names.
- It concluded that the evidence was “insufficient” to prove sexual harassment.
- Whether Zhu actually showed up for Tuesday’s hearing remains a mystery; his lawyer couldn’t be reached.
Zhou’s Reaction (and a Few Feelings) — Post‑Verdict Talk
After the verdict came out, Zhou gathered a tight circle of supporters. She talked under her breath of how the battle had taken a toll:
“After three years of fighting this case, I’m exhausted and disappointed. I didn’t even get a proper chance to lay out what happened.” — Zhou
All in all, it’s a classic courtroom drama: a public fight wrapped in bureaucracy, with emotional roller‑coasters in the aftermath. The drama continues—or not—depending on what the next closed‑door session might reveal.
<img alt="" data-caption="A police line is set up near a court where Zhou Xiaoxuan, also known by her online name Xianzi, attends a court session for a sexual harassment case involving a Chinese state TV host, in Beijing, China, on Sept 14, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”58e0f5b0-4144-44ca-bad6-04cb9c85bae3″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/ladey3.jpg”/>
When Courage Meets Court: Zhou’s Fight for Justice
Behind the Quote: A Moment of Self‑Question
- “I’m not sure I’ve got the guts to stay on this for another three years. Who knows if this will be a goodbye?”
- This raw confession shows the toll the legal battle is taking on Zhou’s spirit.
United We Stand, Court We Contest
- “We’re definitely taking this all the way to the appeals court—because let’s face it, the original decision missed half the vital evidence. All the surveillance footage was left out.”
- Classified as a #MeToo showdown, Zhou’s team is no stranger to stepping up when the system drops the ball.
#MeToo in China: A Stirring Conversation
- Why 2018 was a turning point—when a Beijing undergrad raised her voice against a professor’s harassment, the movement spread like wildfire across campuses, NGOs, and the press.
- Silence followed, but new headlines featuring tech titan Alibaba and hip‑hop star Kris Wu have breathed fresh life into the discourse.
- These stories fly through the media with minimal censorship, sparking public outrage and calls for accountability.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned—Zhou’s case may not just shape the legal outcome; it could shift how China conversations around safety, power, and justice evolve.
