China will have to combat cyber bullying

In July of last year, 24-year-old Hangzhou girl Zheng Linghua tragically passed away after being subjected to online violence. After successfully passing her graduate school entrance exam, Zheng shared the good news with her grandfather, who was hospitalized then and posted a photo on a social media platform. However, due to her pink hair, she became the target of online violence. Various insulting rumours forced the lively and cheerful girl into depression, and she eventually committed suicide.

The Zheng Linghua incident is reminiscent of internet celebrities, such as "Guanguan" and "Liuxuezhou" who left due to online violence. The repeated tragedies of online violence make people feel angry and powerless. How can we punish the "culprits" behind the keyboard? Can we use the law to curb online violence promptly before tragedies occur? What are the current legal provisions for punishing online violence? As an associate professor of criminal justice at China University of Political Science and Law, Chen Bi welcomes questions from the public.

Online violence is a problem that plagues modern society. People hide behind screens and keyboards, emboldened to say things they would never say to someone's face. This leads to the spread of rumours, insults, and even death threats, all of which can have severe consequences for the victim. However, despite the harm caused by online violence, it can be challenging to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The Chinese government has recognized the seriousness of online violence and has introduced several laws and regulations to address it. One of the most significant is the "Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Handling Criminal Cases of Defamation Using Information Networks" issued by the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. According to Article 2 of this interpretation, if someone uses an information network to defame others and the following circumstances occur, it shall be deemed as "serious circumstances" under Article 246, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Law:

  1. The same defamatory information is actually clicked or viewed more than 5,000 times or forwarded more than 500 times;
  2. The victim or his or her immediate family member suffers serious consequences such as mental disorders, self-injury, or suicide;
  3. The person has been punished administratively for defamation within the past two years and commits slander again; or
  4. Other serious circumstances.

This interpretation provides a legal basis for punishing online violence and clarifies the circumstances under which online defamation can be considered a criminal offence.

In addition to this interpretation, other provisions in Chinese law can be used to punish online violence. For example, Article 253 of the Criminal Law stipulates that anyone who sells or provides citizens' personal information to others in violation of relevant regulations and under severe circumstances shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or criminal detention and shall also be fined.

Article 293 of the Criminal Law stipulates that anyone who engages in the following behaviours to disturb public order shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than five years, criminal detention, or public surveillance:

  1. Following, intercepting, insulting, or intimidating others with severe circumstances;
  2. Disrupting the order of public places, transportation, or communications;
  3. Gathering a crowd to disturb public order; or
  4. Using violence or threats to obstruct the performance of official duties by state personnel.

These provisions demonstrate that there are legal means for punishing online violence. However, there are still challenges to holding perpetrators accountable.

One of the biggest challenges is the difficulty of gathering. Another critical aspect of combatting online harassment is the need for increased awareness and education. This includes educating the general public on the harm caused by online harassment and teaching individuals how to identify and respond to online harassment when they witness it or experience it themselves. In addition, education and awareness should also extend to law enforcement officials and legal professionals, as they are often tasked with investigating and prosecuting cases of online harassment.

Lastly, it is essential to recognize that while legislation and education can help prevent and address online harassment, there is also a need for societal and cultural change. The prevalence of online harassment is partly due to more significant social issues such as misogyny, racism, and homophobia. To combat online harassment, we must address these underlying societal issues and create a more inclusive and respectful society.

In conclusion, online harassment is a serious issue with devastating consequences. While there is no one solution to this complex problem, a multi-pronged approach that includes legislation, education, and societal change is necessary. As a society, we must work towards creating a safer and more respectful online environment for all individuals.

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China’s Economic Crisis Leads to Soaring Foreclosures: A Closer Look

 As China’s economy continues to deteriorate, the number of foreclosed homes listed for auction has reached a historic high.

China’s real estate industry has been booming for decades, with rising home prices and a rush to buy property seen as a wise investment. However, the recent economic crisis has caused a surge in foreclosed homes being auctioned off, revealing a significant trend in China’s economic development. The China Index Academy reported that over 600,000 foreclosed homes were listed for auction in 2022, with Sichuan topping the list of foreclosed homes with 66,000 units, followed by Guangdong, Henan, and Jiangsu. However, many experts question the authenticity of this data as private companies have released differing figures. While foreclosures mainly originate from debt disputes, high volumes of pending auctions are primarily located in regions with high bankruptcies.

The economics of foreclosures reveals a significant trend in China’s economic development. Housing is the most crucial asset for the Chinese, and many wonder if buying a home is the right decision. The Chinese real estate industry is a Ponzi scam with a massive bubble, relying on pushing up housing prices constantly to keep the housing market hot. Using future funds to carry on the momentum, a real estate crisis would break out quickly if any factor interrupted this chain. Since the pandemic in Wuhan in late 2019 and through the end of 2022, wave after wave of outbreaks has resulted in many wage earners being quarantined collectively or at home, unable to work and losing their means of livelihood. Since the beginning of 2023, major companies have been drastically laying off employees, eliminating the entire business line.

The severity of this layoff is causing people to panic as job opportunities become scarce. The feeling of being in this industry is that it’s useless to pump oneself up for someone insignificant like them. Many people find it difficult to continue their mortgages, and a foreclosure is becoming more common. However, the foreclosure process takes less than a year at the shortest and two to three years or more at the longest. Some homeowners are auctioning at low prices to close quickly, and those who default on their mortgages become total losers, severely affecting their credit history.

The surge in foreclosures highlights the vicious cycle of a sluggish real estate market in China, causing many to wonder if the bubble has finally burst. The Chinese government has been trying to curb speculation and curb the excesses in the housing market. However, it has also been trying to stabilize the market by lowering interest rates, easing mortgage policies, and increasing lending to support the real estate industry. Many experts believe that the Chinese government must find a way to balance the need for a stable housing market and the protection of consumers from financial risk.

In conclusion, the surge in foreclosures in China’s real estate market is a significant trend in the country’s economic development. With the recent financial crisis causing many people to lose their livelihoods, foreclosure has become more common. However, many experts believe that the Chinese government must find a way to balance the need for a stable housing market and the protection of consumers from financial risk. The real estate industry is a Ponzi scam with a massive bubble, and if the chain is interrupted by any factor, a real estate crisis will break out quickly. The surge in foreclosures highlights the vicious cycle of a sluggish real estate market in China, causing many to wonder if the bubble has finally burst.


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Where to find jobs for China’s 11.58 million college students

The 2023 graduation season will be the most challenging employment season for China's 11.58 million college students. According to the latest statistics involving 2022 graduates released by China's Career Development platform Julian recruitment, the contracting rate of engineering graduates, which has been high for years, is only 17.3 per cent, and the contracting rate of liberal arts graduates is as low as 12.4 per cent. This indicates that one becomes unemployed upon graduation. In the past two years, more and more young people have joined the unemployment army, many of whom are college students who graduated just a few short years ago.

The economic recession is the primary reason for the employment difficulties that Chinese college graduates face. After three years of the zero coveted policy, China's economy has been hit hard, leading to sweeping layoffs. In 2023, it will be challenging to find a job. Many of the companies to which these students submitted their resumes have read their resumes but have yet to give them a response. The unemployed in Beijing is a complicated problem. The hopes for 2023 college graduates will be even slimmer.

Another essential factor contributing to the high unemployment rate among college graduates is that the number of college graduates needs to be lowered. After the former party leader Jiang Semin implemented the education sector commercialization policy, universities began to expand their enrollment and charge high tuition fees. This has gradually transformed colleges and universities, which initially had the fundamental goal of cultivating social conscience and free spirit, into an education training business to make money in profit.

The common practice of special talent classes, gifted classes, and tuition fees has led to the expropriation of resources invested in compulsory education in China. Higher education tuition fees have risen yearly, pushing many Chinese families into poverty. The industrialization of student housing support services, second degrees, and credentialing has become a money-making machine. Most private education in China, except for the highly humble private schools for migrant children, is supported by high fees beyond the reach of the general public and is called Elite schools. In just over a decade, children's education has become one of the significant expense items for Chinese families.

The heavy burden of tuition has made schooling unaffordable for the poor. In many primary and secondary schools, students have been divided into different classes based on family wealth, creating a social divide. China's colleges and universities have been increasing their enrollment without considering the student's future employment and preparing them for the job market, leading to chaos. In other words, a structural imbalance exists in the Chinese education system.

This structural imbalance is evident in the hiring sites of food factories where many highly educated university students are present. The fact that a college student has no job isn't just a personal misfortune; it means that the investment of a Chinese family for more than 20 years is wasted. A large number of social resources are destroyed, and it means a deep social crisis. China has many college graduates. If they can't find a suitable placement for several years, it will create an enormous challenge for Chinese society.

The 2023 graduation season will be China's college students' most challenging employment season. The current economic recession and the structural imbalance in the Chinese education system are the primary reasons for the high unemployment rate among Chinese college graduates. The Chinese government should address these issues and ensure that Chinese college graduates can find employment and contribute to economic development.


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Chinese young women in “gray area” (外围女) sectors

I have been interested in the phenomenon of college girls working in the “grey area” (外围女). It’s a complex issue that has garnered significant media attention recently. While moral and ethical considerations are at play, economic and social factors also need to be considered.

Firstly, let’s look at the economic factors. The fact is that many college students in China today are facing immense financial pressures. Tuition fees and living expenses are high, and the job market is highly competitive. Many students simply cannot make ends meet with part-time jobs and other means of income.

The “gig economy” rise in China has created new opportunities for those seeking to earn extra money. The article notes that many college girls are turning to the “grey area” (外围女) to supplement their income. While some consider this morally questionable, it’s important to remember that these girls make rational choices based on their economic circumstances.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the demand for such services is not limited to college girls. Many wealthy businessmen and other individuals are willing to pay large sums for the companionship of attractive young women. In some ways, the “grey area” (外围) simply reflects the larger economic landscape in China, where the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen.

Of course, there are also social factors at play. The pressure to conform to specific beauty standards and social norms is immense in China, particularly for young women. Many college girls may need to engage in such work to maintain a particular lifestyle or be accepted by their peers. This is a troubling trend and one that needs to be addressed by society as a whole.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that these girls are not helpless victims. They choose to engage in this work, and many do so willingly. The article notes that some girls come from well-off backgrounds and seek more opportunities to earn money. This is not to say that their choices are necessarily good, but it’s essential to approach the issue with nuance and understanding.

Overall, the issue of college girls working in the “grey area” (外围女) is complex and requires a multifaceted approach. We need to address the economic and social factors driving this trend while also acknowledging the agency and autonomy of these girls. Having an open and honest dialogue about this issue is essential rather than resorting to moralistic judgments and knee-jerk reactions. As a society, we need to work towards finding pragmatic and compassionate solutions so that these girls can lead happy and fulfilling lives.


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Girl Makes Over Ten Thousand a Month by Selling on the Street, Pays Off Million-Dollar Debt

 

In recent years, more and more young people have joined the ranks of street vendors. However, can everyone make “over ten thousand a month” by selling on the street? Who is making money from this trend?

Lele, who started with a capital of only 3,500 yuan, told the media that sharing her experience of selling on the street on social media has attracted a large number of fans. Many people hope to make money like her, which led Lele to discover a new business opportunity: “At first, I directly recommended the source of goods to them. Later, I found that more and more people were coming to me to ask for goods, so I gradually started to walk towards the supplier.”

Nowadays, Lele has paid off her debt and earned a net profit of about 250,000 yuan by selling on the street last year, while her income from supplying goods exceeded one million yuan. Plus, her regular job salary and her annual income are close to two million yuan.

In her opinion, selling on the street earns “easy money,” and therefore, it is not worth encouraging young people to blindly follow this trend. “Young people should consider the extensibility of their part-time job choices. Selling on the street is only one means and method. The most important thing is to discover new things through selling on the street.”

Street vendors have long been a part of Chinese culture, and it is no different today. In recent years, however, there has been an explosion in the number of young people setting up their stalls to earn extra income. With the rise of social media, many of these vendors are using online platforms to promote their products and increase sales.

Lele, a 22-year-old girl from a small town in China, is one of them. After graduating from college, she started working in a company in a big city. However, due to her high living expenses, she quickly accumulated a large amount of debt. To pay off her debt, she started selling cosmetics and accessories on the street in her spare time.

At first, she didn’t earn much, but as she gained more experience, her business began to take off. With the help of social media, she was able to reach a wider audience and increase her sales. She also started to sell clothes and shoes, which were more profitable than cosmetics and accessories.

As her business grew, Lele realized that she needed to find a stable source of goods. She began to work with suppliers, negotiating prices and ensuring the quality of the products. Eventually, she was able to build up a network of suppliers and became a supplier herself.

Now, Lele is a successful entrepreneur, earning more than most people her age. Her story has inspired many young people to start their businesses and pursue their dreams. However, she cautions against blindly following the trend of selling on the street.

“Selling on the street is not a magic bullet. It takes hard work and dedication to make it successful. You need to have a clear understanding of your target market, your products, and your competition. You also need to be prepared to face challenges and setbacks along the way.”

Lele’s story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and the potential of the Chinese market. As more and more young people enter the workforce, the demand for flexible and creative job opportunities will only increase. Selling on the street may not be for everyone, but for those who are willing to put in the effort, it can be a lucrative and rewarding experience.

In conclusion, selling on the street can be a viable source of income for young people in China. However, it is not a magic bullet.

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The Shocking Truth Behind Guizhou’s HIV-Infected Prostitution Ring

Uncovering the Dark World of Prostitution and STDs in China’s Grey Market

As news of the “HIV-infected prostitute” incident in Guizhou continues to unfold, it is becoming increasingly shocking, tearing apart the veil of shame for those involved.

The People’s Court of Libo County in Guizhou Province recently concluded a case in which Zhang, a carrier of the HIV virus, engaged in sexual activity with Wei for 30 yuan, despite knowing her condition. Zhang was apprehended by the police and administratively detained for ten days.

In April 2020, Zhang engaged in sexual activity with Yang for the same amount and was similarly caught and fined 500 yuan by the police. The public prosecution accused Zhang of spreading sexually transmitted diseases, and the court ultimately convicted her of the crime, sentencing her to ten months in prison and a 1,000 yuan fine. The confiscated illegal gains of 60 yuan were also seized and handed over to the state treasury by law.

So, what is the crime of spreading sexually transmitted diseases? It refers to knowingly engaging in prostitution or soliciting prostitution while having severe sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and gonorrhoea.

The punishment for spreading sexually transmitted diseases is imprisonment for up to five years, detention or control, and a fine.

Zhang knew she was a carrier of the HIV virus but still engaged in prostitution repeatedly. She committed the crime intentionally. Some may argue that Zhang engaged in prostitution knowing she was a carrier of the HIV virus but did not infect anyone else. Does her behaviour still constitute a crime of spreading sexually transmitted diseases?

The answer is yes because the fact that the act of spreading sexually transmitted diseases does not actually cause others to suffer from serious sexually transmitted diseases does not affect the establishment of the offence.

Prostitution is a frequently prohibited activity that has spawned a grey industry chain. The traces of prostitution can be seen everywhere, in hotels, alleyways, and guesthouses, among other places.

We might see the following warning message in a hotel room: “Cherish life; stay away from pornography, gambling, and drugs.” Why do such warnings appear in hotel rooms? It is because prostitution is prevalent and accessible to occur in hotels.

Those who have stayed in a hotel may be familiar with this phenomenon: at night, someone will stuff small cards under the room door with various images of beautiful women, such as hot beauties, pure beauties, and mature women, among others. Some advertising slogans entice male customers, so male customers should exercise self-discipline and self-control and avoid temptation. Otherwise, they may contract a disease and ruin their lives.

In the women’s restroom on a college campus, we might see small ads like “High-paying part-time jobs, please contact xxx,” “Colorless services, high-paying part-time jobs, monthly income of over ten thousand,” “High-paying part-time jobs, female students are preferred, monthly income of over ten thousand,” and so on. Why do these ads appear in the women’s restroom on a college campus? Because those who post advertisements understand the needs of college students. Freshmen do not have a source of income, and many students are reluctant to ask their families for money. Therefore, students prefer to find part-time jobs to earn a living.

Seeing such advertisements, it is difficult to resist the curiosity of what kind of part-time job can earn over ten thousand yuan a month. Under the impetus of this curiosity, one may gradually fall into the abyss and destroy their life.

Citations:

  • “贵州“艾滋病卖淫女”事件，越深挖越吓人，撕碎了谁的遮羞布” (普法小小课堂)
  • “China’s fight against the spread of sexually transmitted infections and HIV” (WHO)
  • “Sex workers’ vulnerability to HIV, hepatitis B and sexually transmitted infection in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis” (PubMed)

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Chinese girl who was beaten was forced to kneel and begged the attackers for mercy — When will bullying stop?

 

Recently, a bullying incident in Hainan has caused widespread outrage among netizens. In the video, a beaten girl was forced to kneel and begged the attackers for mercy. We thought these attackers would be severely punished, but the outcome disappointed us. The attackers cannot be punished harshly because they are under 14, becoming their “get-out-of-jail-free card.”

On March 24, the police mediation result showed that both parties had gathered multiple people to assault each other several times. The rumour that the girl was illegally detained was untrue. However, the parties and their families disagree with this investigation result. So, what is the actual situation?

The victim, Xiaozhu, who was beaten in the incident, said in an interview with the media that the attackers had beaten her for various reasons, such as asking for money to buy breakfast or cigarettes. This time, the reason was that they didn’t like her.

Moreover, the investigation found that multiple people could testify that the attackers had assaulted Xiaozhu on the roadside, in the restroom, and by the ditch.

However, what about the police’s announcement that both parties repeatedly gathered many people to beat each other due to a verbal dispute?

Xiaozhu’s cousin said that Xiaozhu returned to her grandmother’s house after being beaten on the 16th, and because she was afraid to go home, she proposed to escort Xiaozhu home. On the way, they met the attacker, Song, and gathered some friends to beat him while filming a video. Xiaozhu did hit Song in the video, and her cousin was also fined by the police afterwards.

According to Xiaozhu’s cousin, this was only a chance encounter that happened once, different from the police’s announcement of multiple gatherings and beatings by many people.

The author believes that although Xiaozhu’s cousin’s behaviour is illegal, it is reasonable to think about it. If most people knew that their relatives were subjected to such inhumane beatings, how could they endure it? From the punishment of the attackers given by the police, I think what she did is worth it.

Regarding the rumour that Xiaozhu was illegally detained for five days, what are the explanation for her five-day disappearance and multiple bruises when she appeared again at the station in Jialai Town?

Xiaozhu’s teacher told her family that she was missing on the 12th, and her father did not get through her phone until she appeared at the Jialai Town station on the 16th.

During Xiaozhu’s disappearance, her father tried to find her by going out and asking people around him, but he couldn’t find her. Xiaozhu’s phone was always turned off, and there was no news from her during the five-day disappearance. How should we explain this? Was she illegally detained?

When CCTV tried to interview the school, the police station, the public security bureau, and the propaganda department with many questions, they were all refused.

There are still too many questions and details waiting for official explanations. We hope that the relevant departments can explain as soon as possible and that the truth of this incident can be revealed.

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Hong Kong Youth Income and Consumption Survey: What is a Decent Life

 

A recent study conducted by the Policy Research Institute, the Center for Culture, and the Development Center at Lingnan University, in collaboration with Oxfam Hong Kong, focused on young people’s employment and consumption situation and published its findings. The study surveyed young people aged 18 to 29 with work experience and a monthly income of less than HKD 20,000.

The study found that the monthly average living expenses of the respondents were HKD 16,789, with the highest proportion of spending on food, accounting for 40.7% of the total. In addition, the study found that transportation, communication, and leisure expenses accounted for 27% of the total. The study also found that the majority of respondents lived with their parents and that their housing expenses accounted for only 19.97% of their total expenses.

To maintain their current standard of living, young workers need to earn an average hourly wage of HKD 80.72, assuming they work 26 days a month and 8 hours a day. However, the current statutory minimum wage in Hong Kong is only HKD 40, and the median hourly wage for employees in the city is HKD 75.7. Even the monthly average income of young people aged 20–24 with a bachelor’s degree in 2019 was only HKD 18,000, which means that “living paycheck to paycheck” is a common scenario for most young people in Hong Kong.

The low minimum wage in Hong Kong also drew sharp criticism from the interviewees. They pointed out that the current minimum wage cannot meet the basic needs of workers and does not encourage people to work hard.

Hong Kong’s minimum wage lags far behind other developed areas and countries in Asia. For example, the minimum hourly wage in Taiwan was raised to NT$176 (about HKD 45.8) in January 2023, which benefits about 57,000 workers, accounting for about 20% of those covered by the minimum wage. In South Korea, the minimum hourly wage will be raised to KRW 9,620 (about HKD 59.5) in 2023, benefiting about 3.4 million workers, or 11.9% of the labour force. In addition, the average hourly wage in Japan was adjusted to JPY 961 (about HKD 57.2) in October 2022.

The low minimum wage has caused financial difficulties for young workers in Hong Kong. While they are not struggling to make ends meet, they cannot afford to plan for their future, including saying “no” to jobs they do not like or having no growth prospects.

In conclusion, the study showed that young people in Hong Kong face significant challenges in achieving a decent life. The minimum wage in Hong Kong lags behind other developed areas and countries in Asia, and it needs to meet the basic needs of workers. The situation has led many young people to face financial difficulties and prevented them from planning their future. To address this problem, the government should consider raising the minimum wage to a level that can cover the basic needs of workers, and create more job opportunities for young people.

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Age Limits for Job Applicants: The Impact on China's Society and Possible Solutions

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