A Chinese freshman has been expelled from a university in central China, after he insulted his home country on social media.
Wang Dong, a civil engineering major, has been disqualified from attending Hunan City University, authorities confirmed in a statement issued Saturday on the university's official website.
The authorities of the university in Hunan Province's Yiyang City said they made the decision under China's regulations and university rules.
The library of Hunan City University, which is located in Yiyang City of central China's Hunan Province. /Hunan City University official website
“It is impossible for me to love China in my lifetime,” Wang wrote on his Twitter-like social media platform Weibo account, under the screen name “Hunk Wang Yingjun from Guizhou Province.”
“How come a university student still loves his country? I can tell you are an idiot,” he wrote in another post.
People complained about the 18-year-old's posts earlier this month, before the local government and university's inspection.
Wang Dong has admitted to what he wrote on Weibo, according to the university statement. Wang's Weibo account appeared to have been cleared of all content.
He has also mocked roommates who said they loved China, the statement said.
The stone wall of The Tao Te Ching, a Chinese classic text traditionally credited to the 6th-century BC sage Laozi, in Hunan City University./ Hunan City University official website
The student has prompted a barrage of criticism on Weibo.
“It is not moral coercion, it's the basic principle of being a Chinese,” user Pg121389524 said.
“As you enjoy the freedom of speech, you have to be responsible for it,” Huaiyoubuyi- commented.
Some Weibo users have been urging the educational institution to guide the students with patriotism.
“Why didn't the university choose to guide and educate? Does it have to be so extreme?” said Kongbaikongbai99.
Hunan City University has been giving lessons on patriotism through several activities during the past few years, news reports show.
Many Chinese universities undertake the patriotism-themed courses in their curricula.