Chinese #MeToo pioneer Zhou Xiaoxuan gets her day in court as she sues TV host Zhu Jun for allegedly sexually harrassing her
- Hundreds of supporters gathered outside a court in Beijing on Wednesday to support Zhou Xiaoxuan in a landmark hearing
- Zhou is seeking damages and an apology from CCTV presenter Zhu Jun over claims he forcibly kissed her
A sexual harassment case that has been hailed as a pioneering moment for China’s #MeToo movement in China opened in Beijing on Wednesday attracting hundreds of supporters for the plaintiff.
Zhou Xiaoxuan, 27, is suing Zhu Jun, a prominent television host whom she accuses of forcibly kissing her in 2014. She is demanding a public apology from Zhu and 50,000 yuan (US$7,600) in damages.
Zhou’s case is being closely watched as it followed the passage of China’s first Civil Code in May, which provided an expanded definition of sexual harassment and greater protection for victims.
Better known by her nickname Xianzi, Zhou alleged that Zhu harassed her when she worked as an intern for state broadcaster CCTV six years ago.
She first posted her allegations online in 2018. Zhu, who denies the claims, unsuccessfully filed a counter lawsuit accusing her of damaging his reputation.