China’s #MeToo momentum

In this second episode of the NüVoices podcast, hosts Alice Xin Liu and Joanna Chiu interview Yuan Yang, the Beijing-based technology correspondent for the Financial Times, on how #MeToo has gained momentum in mainland China despite online censorship and university officials reportedly putting pressure on students to stay silent. Since Luo Xixi wrote on social media in January about how her former professor tried to rape her, many others have shared their stories and the movement has spread beyond campuses in recent weeks to the NGO, the media, and the art world. Even a high-ranked Buddhist monk has been accused of sexual misconduct. Joanna and Yuan share insights from their on-the-ground reporting, and the trio discuss ways the #MeToo conversation has been different in China compared with in Western countries and to what extent the Chinese leadership might see the popular movement as a threat. In the future of this biweekly podcast, Alice and Joanna will continue to explore the work of women in media and the arts in Greater China, the impact of abuses of power, international and domestic politics, and their own personal stories. Their guests will also, occasionally, be male. NüVoices is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone. This code of conduct applies to all NüVoices events and spaces, including the website, podcast, and communities both online and off. Read the charter here: https://nuvoices.com/our-charter/. This podcast is wholly coordinated by the NüVoices board, with production by SupChina. All opinions of guests and presenters belong to the individuals alone and do not reflect the views of NüVoices. Follow them on Twitter at @nvvoices.