The University of Southern California has long been a popular destination for Chinese students to further their studies in the US. But the unique bond forged in recent decades between USC and China could be shaken by a recent sex abuse scandal. The school's President Max Nikias is to step down over the backlash against his handling of complaints, that a campus health clinic gynecologist sexually abused patients, some of whom, are Chinese students. Jiang Shaoyi tells us more.  

The head of one of the most prestigious US institutions of higher education finally agrees to step down.

He was ousted for a widely damaging sex scandal, involving a school doctor's decades of sexual misconduct.

GLORIA ALLRED ATTORNEY "USC knew of inappropriate conduct by Dr. Tyndall, but failed to take appropriate measures to protect innocent students who were under his care."

Nearly 20 students - including three former Chinese students - filed lawsuits last week.

The students pointed their fingers to Dr. George Tyndall, a 71-year-old gynecologist who worked at the school's clinic for 30 years.

DANIELLA MOHAZAB USC STUDENT "Dr Tyndall told me to undress from the bottom down and he stood there watching while I did so and he smiled. He gave me some paper to put on top of my upper legs. Without a glove, he put two fingers in me and felt around."

And this is far from a one-time instance of misconduct. There were at least 8 complaints made against Tyndall between 2000 and 2014.

One new accusation released at the press conference dates back to the early 1990s.

DANIELLA MOHAZAB USC STUDENT "I am still in shock that USC had heard about Dr. Tyndall's inappropriate conduct and allowed him to continue practicing. Reportedly, USC was aware of Dr. Tyndall's inappropriate conduct before I was even born."

The notorious doctor resigned from his post last year. Former colleagues at the university said Tyndall usually targeted young women, especially those from China and other Asian countries.

Records show, last year, there were more than 5,400 Chinese students studying at USC, the biggest international student group there.

Chinese netizens have expressed outrage over the scandal. The Chinese consulate in Los Angeles also expressed its deep concern. It requested the university take serious steps to protect Chinese students from illegal acts.

"Diversity matters" is one of USC's slogans. But to help maintain that diversity, it may need to show more responsibility.

JIANG SHAOYI, CGTN.