Academic title of professor accused of sexual harassment revoked

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China’s Ministry of Education on Sunday revoked the "Changjiang Scholar" title - the highest academic honor conferred to an individual in higher education - of Chen Xiaowu, a professor at Beihang University who is accused of sexually harassing his students.

The ministry cancelled Chen’s award funding and instructed Beihang University to cancel the Changjiang Scholar contract with Chen. The ministry said it has zero tolerance for Chen’s sexual misconduct, which is a serious violation of teacher’s ethics. It is working with other agencies to build up mechanisms to prevent sexual misconduct in universities.

Screenshot of Beihang University's statement on its official Weibo account announcing the investigation result and punishment for Chen Xiaowu‍

Beihang University removed Chen from his teaching post last Thursday following an investigation that confirmed the sexual misconduct allegations against him leveled by his former female students.

Luo Xixi, Chen’s former doctoral student who now lives in the US, reported Chen’s misconduct to Beihang University in 2017 together with several other female students. She posted an article on Weibo on Jan. 1 accusing 45-year-old Chen of trying to sexually harass her 12 years ago.

Luo said in an interview with BBC China that she was encouraged by the #MeToo movement which swept the western entertainment industry in 2017. Some netizens said Luo’s action is seen as the mark of the expansion of the #MeToo movement to China.

Picture of Chen Xiaowu / CGTN Weibo photo

Chinese netizens hailed the decision by the ministry, saying Chen is not worthy of being a teacher.

“This time the punishment came quick, and this is how teachers like Chen should be dealt with. Ethic is always more important than academic achievements,” said Weibo user “-5BA-”.

Weibo user “Duanmuyi” said the most important part in the statement of the Ministry of Education is that it is working to set up preventive mechanisms. Many Chinese netizens, including Luo, are calling for Chinese universities to set up rules to better protect students from sexual harassment.