Beijing Court Bars #MeToo Appeal in CCTV Host Case
On Wednesday, the Beijing Municipal No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court gave the final nail to an already bruised #MeToo story: it dismissed the appeal of 29‑year‑old Zhou Xiaoxuan, who had accused a popular CCTV host, Zhu Jun, of groping and insisting on a kiss back in 2014.
The Back‑Story
- Zhou’s claim: During an internship, Zhu allegedly grabbed her arm and pressed for a kiss.
- Social media fireworks: The story went viral in 2018, sparking a lawsuit for damages.
- First verdict: In September 2021, the Haidian People’s Court tossed the case for lack of evidence.
- New appeal: After a fresh closed‑door hearing, the higher court kept the original decision.
The court’s official Weibo post bluntly said: “The evidence presented by Zhou could not prove that Zhu harassed her, so the appeal cannot be upheld.” The ruling leaves the door open for a second appeal if fresh evidence emerges.
Zhou’s Reaction
Despite the setback, Zhou posted a WeChat clip a day before the verdict, encouraging the crowd to keep fighting: “I’ve stood up, no regrets. Pain is precious, and I’m hoping the journey means something for you, too.”
What This Means for #MeToo in China
Since 2018, when a campus girl exposed her professor’s misconduct, the movement has rippled through NGOs, media operators, and industries. This court’s decision is a stark reminder that the legal route isn’t always easy, yet many still hope for change.
Neither Zhou nor Zhu has commented yet, but the Chinese #MeToo saga continues to simmer.
