A rare mass protest has erupted in the south-western Chinese city of Jiangyou after the beating of a 14-year-old girl by three teenage girls ignited a national outcry and international concern over how China handles juvenile crime.
The assault, which took place in July, was filmed by bystanders and shared widely on Chinese social media. Police said the victim, surnamed Lai, suffered multiple bruises to her scalp and knees. In the footage, she is seen being verbally abused and repeatedly struck.
On Monday, authorities announced that two of the attackers would be sent to a correctional school, while a third participant and several bystanders would receive “criticism and education.” Guardians of those involved were ordered to “exercise strict discipline.”
Punishment Branded Too Lenient
The announcement quickly drew public backlash, with many online commenters calling the punishment too light. One widely-shared post on Weibo, China’s equivalent of X/Twitter, read: “The sentence is too light … that is why they were so arrogant.”
By that evening, hundreds of residents had gathered outside Jiangyou’s city hall. Verified video showed large crowds stretching around the block, with police — some in plain clothes — forcibly removing protesters. In later footage, SWAT officers in black uniforms detained several people at a busy intersection as onlookers shouted.
Part of a Wider Pattern
While public demonstrations are rare in China due to tight restrictions on assembly, protests linked to child safety and school violence have increased in recent years. In 2023, thousands marched in Shangqiu, Henan province, over the death of a 14-year-old student whose parents disputed the school’s account that he died by suicide.
The Jiangyou incident also follows a high-profile 2024 case in which three boys, accused of long-term bullying, murdered a 13-year-old classmate. That case prompted Beijing to promise a stronger stance on juvenile violence, but critics say reforms have been slow.
Censorship and Official Warnings
By Tuesday morning, “Jiangyou” was the second most-trending topic on Weibo before it was swiftly censored along with related hashtags. Local authorities warned the public against “spreading rumours” and said two people had been punished for fabricating details about the case.
Human rights observers say the Jiangyou protest highlights two issues: public frustration over perceived legal leniency for violent juveniles, and the Chinese government’s rapid suppression of organised dissent.
For many, the case has become more than a local crime story — it is a flashpoint in the national debate about justice, accountability, and the right to be heard.
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