Authorities in Chongqing will investigate a scandal in which 31 students reportedly changed their ethnic status to secure higher marks in the university entrance exam.
Results of the probe will be published, China National Radio reported yesterday. The scandal emerged after eagle-eyed internet users found He Chuanyang, the top scorer in humanities, had changed his ethnic status from Han to Tujia minority group, for an extra 20 points.
Government investigators then discovered 30 other students had done the same to obtain the points advantage. It was also revealed that the 17-year-old's father was an official in charge of diploma enrolment in Chongqing's Wushan county. He Yeda reportedly asked Wan Minqiang, then director of Wushan's Bureau of Ethnic Affairs, in 2006 to change his son's ethnic status.
Critics questioned the credibility of the exam and called for a probe.
He scored a staggering 695 points and was offered places at elite Peking University and the University of Hong Kong. Both universities reportedly withdrew their offers.
