China professor fired over harassment claims in rare #MeToo win

People passing the logo for Renmin University outside the main campus in Beijing, on July 22, 2024. Renmin University’s action came after the student’s allegations prompted an outcry on social media, where many expressed anger at the professor for allegedly abusing his position of authority. — AP

Claims of sexual abuse at a top university in China led to a professor’s swift termination and police investigation, a rare response in a country where officials treat the #MeToo movement with suspicion and accusers are often censored.

A professor at the elite Renmin University identified as Wang was fired from his school and removed as a Communist Party member on July 22, a day after a PhD student accused him of sexual harassment on social media. Beijing police said they opened an investigation.