Top Chinese Monk's Sexual Harassment Scandal Shows the Power of China's Growing #metoo Movement

By Sinead Baker
Business Insider
August 3, 2018

https://www.businessinsider.com/metoo-movement-grows-in-china-as-prominent-monk-accused-of-harassment-2018-8

One of China's highest-ranking Buddist monks is accused of sexual misconduct including demanding sexual favors from nuns — and the launch of a government investigation shows that the #MeToo movement may be gaining traction in the region.

Shi Xuecheng of the Longquan Monastery in Beijing is accused in a 95-document compiled by his fellow monks.

Both Xuecheng and the monastery denied the claims, but the document, which includes testimony from the alleged victims, leaked onto social media last week, resulting in public outcry and state media coverage before it was censored.

The document also included financial statements suggesting he embezzled nearly $1.5 million, which Xuecheng also denied.

On Thursday, China's State Administration of Religious Affairs said it would investigate the claims, news agency The Associated Press reports.

Xuecheng is a well-known figure in China, with a large social media following. He has also published a number of books.

Shi Xianqi, a monastery deacon who had reported the abbot, told The Associated Press via text message that both he and another whistleblower had been expelled from the monastery. He said they were both cooperating with the investigation.

He said that Xuecheng's level of power meant that only the government could protect the nuns.

While the #MeToo movement dominated headlines in the US, it has been slower to take hold in China. But the past few weeks have seen accusations of sexual assault made against prominent activists, intellectuals, and a television personality — potentially pointing to a changing tide.

In China, many who take action are muted. In July, a woman who made a claim against a well-known state TV presenter said that police told her to drop her claim because the presenter had too much "positive influence" on society.