The outpouring of solidarity and emotion surrounding Peng Shuai’s disappearance after she accused a former Chinese official of sexual violence is not quite to Beijing’s liking. China called on Tuesday to stop “blaming” the Peng Shuai affair, during an exceptional official reaction to the sex scandal targeting a former senior regime official.
“I think some should stop deliberately blaming this issue for hostile ends, and especially turning it into a political issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters.
A taboo
The case remains taboo in China in the media and social networks. The MeToo campaign against sexual harassment is in its infancy in China and has so far not reached Communist power officials.