Chinese remain unforgiving as PLA general's son faces trial for alleged gang rape

From “alleged gang rape” to “taking turns having sex” - the changing phrases in Chinese official media reports on a criminal case involving the teenage son of a famous PLA general are angering many internet users.

The high-profile case is about to go to court in a closed trial. But many people are concerned about how fairly it will be conducted.

The 17-year-old son of PLA general and famous singer, Li Shangjiang, along with three other teenagers and an adult, were arrested on suspicion of gang-rape in Beijing in February. Their arrests came just a few months after Li’s son was released from a reform centre for assault and driving without a licence.

The official China News Agency reported on Thursday that “Li’s son, together with four others took turns… having sex with a woman”, a sharp contrast with previous reports alleging the woman had been “gang raped”.

Changes in the wording of the reports have prompted fears that influential people connected with the accused might be interfering in the case, as the new wording may imply that there was no force involved during the sexual intercourses. In China, the government sometimes forces the media to publish scripted official reports on sensitive subjects.

“If a gang rape can be called 'taking turns having sex,' then killing can be called terminating someone’s life, drug dealing can be called providing addictive food and gambling can be called entertainment with rewards,” said the news portal ifeng.com in a blog.