BEIJING (CHINA)
The Associated Press

August 15, 2018

Controversy around Buddhist abbot Shi Xuecheng seen as sign of #MeToo’s rise in China

One of China’s most high-profile Buddhist monks has resigned from a national post after reports of sexual misconduct, a religious association has said.

The Buddhist Association of China said on Wednesday its president, Shi Xuecheng, had passed his duties to a deputy.

The case, which has been covered widely in the Chinese press and discussed on social media, is seen as a sign of the #MeToo movement’s growing momentum in China. A small but increasing number of academics, civil society activists and one of China’s best known television hosts have been called out for alleged inappropriate behaviour, although the movement has yet to percolate into government circles.

The announcement of Xuecheng’s resignation was included in a report about the Buddhist association’s regular meeting and did not mention…