Public Outcry Over School Bullying Sparks Clashes in China

A video showing a 14-year-old girl being slapped, kicked, and tormented by several underage girls went viral, sparking public outrage in Jiangyou city of southwest China. Two of the offenders were sent to a specialized school for “corrective education,” while others received warnings or short-term detention less than 15 days. The girl’s parents, including a deaf mother, publicly expressed their frustration outside government offices, drawing the support of citizens demanding justice. Hundreds of residents initially protested, condemning the authorities for punishing the perpetrators too lightly.

As the protests grew, the government moved quickly to repress them. Security forces dispersed demonstrators, online discussion was heavily censored, and posts about the incident were removed from social media. State media coverage remained minimal and carefully framed to avoid fueling public anger, reflecting the authorities’ focus on maintaining social stability rather than addressing justice concerns.

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