School Bullying in Jiangyou, China: A Viral Video Ignites National Outrage
In early August 2025, the southwestern Chinese city of Jiangyou, Sichuan province, became the epicenter of a rare and explosive public protest. The catalyst: a viral video showing a 14-year-old schoolgirl, surnamed Lai, being brutally beaten, slapped, kicked, and humiliated by three other teenage girls. The incident, which occurred on July 22 outside school premises, was filmed by the perpetrators themselves and quickly spread across Chinese social media, igniting a firestorm of anger, grief, and demands for justice.
The video’s disturbing content—Lai being forced to kneel, repeatedly struck with a stick, and threatened—struck a nerve with millions. Particularly galling to the public was a moment when, after Lai threatened to call the police, one of her attackers boasted, “I’ve been to the police station more than ten times and was set free in less than 20 minutes.” This chilling admission, coupled with the attackers’ apparent lack of fear of legal consequences, became a rallying cry for those who believe China’s system fails to adequately protect victims of school bullying.
How the Incident Unfolded: From Online Outrage to Street Protests
The initial police response was swift but, in the eyes of many, insufficient. Authorities announced that two of the attackers, aged 13 and 15, would be sent to specialized correctional schools for “administrative penalties,” while the third and several bystanders would be “criticized and educated.” The guardians of all involved were ordered to exercise strict discipline. No criminal charges were filed, as all the perpetrators were under the age of 16—a threshold in China’s juvenile justice system that often shields minors from prosecution except in the most extreme cases.
This perceived leniency, especially given reports that Lai had been bullied for some time and that her mother—who is deaf and mute—had repeatedly pleaded for help, fueled a wave of online outrage. Hashtags supporting Lai and demanding harsher punishment for school bullies trended on Chinese platforms like Weibo and Douyin, only to be swiftly censored as the story gained momentum.
On August 4, the outrage spilled into the streets. More than a thousand people gathered outside the Jiangyou Municipal Government building, demanding justice for Lai and accountability from local authorities. The crowd included Lai’s parents, who were seen pleading and even kowtowing before officials in a desperate bid for action. As the night wore on, tensions escalated. Police, including Swat teams in black uniforms, used batons and electric prods to disperse the crowd. Videos posted online showed officers dragging protesters away, some of whom were injured in the clashes. Protesters reportedly threw water bottles at police in response.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and emotional. One shop owner told the BBC, “People just wanted justice. People were upset about the lack of punishment.” However, most witnesses refused to give their names, citing warnings from police not to discuss the incident with outsiders or the media.
Government Response: Crackdown, Censorship, and Denials
As images and videos of the protests circulated online, authorities moved quickly to regain control of the narrative. Police issued a second statement to dispel rumors that the attackers were daughters of powerful officials—a lawyer and a police inspector. Instead, they clarified that “two of the parents are unemployed, two are working outside the province, one is a local salesperson, and one is a local delivery driver.” Two individuals were punished for “spreading fake information online,” with authorities warning the public against fabricating or disseminating rumors.
Meanwhile, related hashtags and posts about the incident were scrubbed from trending lists and social media platforms. This pattern of rapid censorship is common in China, where public demonstrations and criticism of authorities are often suppressed to maintain social stability and the ruling Communist Party’s control.
Despite these efforts, the story continued to spread internationally, with global media outlets highlighting both the scale of the protests and the rare public dissent in a country where such demonstrations are typically quashed before they can gain traction.
Why Did This Case Spark Such a Strong Reaction?
School bullying is not a new problem in China, but several factors made the Jiangyou case particularly incendiary:
- The brutality and humiliation captured on video, which was widely shared and discussed.
- The attackers’ apparent impunity, as evidenced by their boasts about previous police encounters and quick releases.
- The vulnerability of the victim, whose family situation (a deaf and mute mother, a reportedly disabled father) resonated with many and underscored the lack of support for marginalized children.
- The perceived inadequacy of the legal response, with many feeling that the punishment did not fit the severity of the crime.
These elements combined to create a perfect storm of public anger, amplified by social media and fueled by a sense that the system was failing to protect children from harm.
The Legal Dilemma: Juvenile Justice and the Limits of Reform
China’s juvenile justice system has long been criticized for its leniency toward offenders under 16. While reforms in 2021 allowed for criminal prosecution of children aged 12 to 14 in “extreme cases” (such as intentional homicide or severe injury), such prosecutions require approval from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and remain rare. Most cases, even those involving serious violence, result in administrative penalties or correctional education rather than criminal charges.
A Shanghai-based lawyer, writing on Weibo, summarized the dilemma:
“The penalty for causing minor injuries is too mild, while the physical and mental trauma suffered by victims is overlooked by the law, which leads to a significant imbalance in the protection of their rights.”
This sentiment was echoed by many online, with one top-liked Weibo comment reading, “The sentence is too light, and that is why they were so arrogant.”
Experts note that while the intention behind lenient juvenile laws is to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, the lack of meaningful consequences can embolden repeat offenders and leave victims without justice or closure. The Jiangyou case, with its viral video and public confessions of prior impunity, brought this issue into sharp focus.
Bullying in China: A Broader Social Crisis
The Jiangyou incident is not an isolated case. In recent years, China has seen a string of high-profile school bullying cases, some ending in tragedy:
- In January 2024, the death of a teenage boy in Pucheng, Shaanxi province, sparked violent protests after authorities claimed he fell to his death in a school dormitory. His parents alleged he had been physically assaulted, and many suspected a cover-up.
- In March 2024, a 13-year-old boy was killed by classmates in Hebei province after enduring prolonged bullying. The perpetrators, all under 14, received sentences ranging from correctional education to life in prison, following a national outcry.
- In 2023, protests erupted in Shangqiu, Henan province, after a 14-year-old boy died under suspicious circumstances. The school claimed suicide, but his parents pointed to signs of physical abuse.
These cases have fueled a growing movement among parents, educators, and legal experts demanding tougher laws, better enforcement, and more comprehensive support for victims. The government has responded with periodic crackdowns and promises of reform, but critics argue that systemic change has been slow and inconsistent.
The Role of Social Media: Amplifying Voices, Prompting Action
Social media played a pivotal role in the Jiangyou protests. The rapid spread of the bullying video, coupled with hashtags like “Parents Speak Up for the Bullied Girl,” galvanized public opinion and mobilized both online and offline action. However, this same visibility made the incident a target for censorship, as authorities sought to contain unrest and prevent similar protests elsewhere.
According to What’s on Weibo, the incident became a “collective demand for justice” on short video platforms, even as posts and discussions were taken offline. The tension between grassroots activism and state control remains a defining feature of China’s digital landscape.
What Happens Next? The Path Forward for China’s Schools and Society
For Lai and her family, the physical wounds may heal, but the psychological scars are likely to linger. Her parents have said she will need ongoing mental health support, and many in the community have rallied to offer help. Yet the broader questions raised by the Jiangyou case remain unresolved:
- Will China’s legal system adapt to better protect victims of school bullying and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of age?
- Can schools, parents, and communities work together to create safer environments and intervene before violence escalates?
- Will public pressure and rare protests like those in Jiangyou lead to meaningful policy changes, or will censorship and crackdowns continue to stifle dissent?
For now, the Jiangyou bullying incident stands as a stark reminder of the challenges facing China’s youth and the urgent need for reform. As one online commenter put it, “Not being able to protect children is a disgrace to schools and police. We must all say no to bullies and hope lawmakers will act.”
In Summary
- A viral video of a 14-year-old girl being bullied in Jiangyou, Sichuan, sparked rare and large-scale protests in China.
- The attackers, all under 16, received administrative penalties and correctional education, prompting public anger over perceived leniency.
- Police cracked down on protests, using force and censoring online discussion, while denying rumors of official connections to the perpetrators.
- The case highlights longstanding issues with China’s juvenile justice system and the challenges of addressing school bullying.
- Social media amplified public outrage but also became a target for censorship as authorities sought to control the narrative.
- The incident has reignited national debate about how to protect children and ensure justice for victims of bullying in China.
