In a controversial move that has sparked widespread debate across Chinese social media, Dalian Polytechnic University in China’s Liaoning Province expelled a female student for engaging in what it termed an “improper contact” with a foreigner. The foreign national involved is identified as a Ukrainian man. The university’s official statement, issued on July 8, cited the girl’s “intimate relation” as damaging to the national identity and the reputation of the institution.
The foreigner is identified as a Ukrainian man and the University notice states that the student has been dismissed for ‘having improper contact with a foreigner’ and ‘damaging the national identity.’
According to the South China Morning Post, the University issued a public notice on July 8th in which it addressed the female student with her full name and quoted the reasons for her expulsion. The University claims that the student’s conduct created a negative impact in the campus. Thus, she is being punished as per the ‘civic morality’ regulation of the University.
The statement issued by the University reads that, “those who have improper contacts with foreigners and damage the national dignity and the reputation of the school shall be given a demerit or above, depending on the circumstances”. The intimate relation with the foreigner is said to have been taken place in December 2024 when the female student was attending an event in Shanghai. The incident came to light when the Ukrainian man shared intimate photos and videos in his fan group.
Triggers Debate across Social Media
University’s action has prompted debate across the social media platforms of China. Some have supported the University’s decision and accused the young Chinese women for being fascinated with a foreigner. However, many others have criticised the University’s move as harsh and discriminatory and have questioned the status of women privacy and personal freedom in the country. Critics have blamed the University for violating women’s privacy by publishing her full name in the public, which is an act of publicly shaming her and a testament for institutional overreach.
While the university has not responded further to the backlash, the incident has placed the spotlight on how far Chinese institutions are willing to go in policing personal behaviour and whether such measures are fair or alarmingly authoritarian in nature.
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