Li Yundi's case shows the immaturity of Chinese society?
On 21 October, news that Chinese pianist Li Yundi was arrested for soliciting a prostitute in Beijing went viral, with plenty of debate in state media and the internet community, as this piece of tabloid news sparked discussion of various views reflecting very different social perspectives and standpoints.
All are equal before the law
In China, soliciting a prostitute and selling sex is illegal, and the law will not change because Li Yundi is a celebrity.
Following Li's arrest, there have again been calls to legalise prostitution, which have been rebuffed by the authorities.
Apparently, this is not Li's first offence in hiring a prostitute, and under China's current laws, it is really unsurprising that he is punished for it, as it also shows that everyone is equal before the law.
Since Chinese President Xi Jinping took office, the Chinese government has been cleaning up society and clamping down especially hard on the sex industry. However, claims by some "China experts" of a "mini Cultural Revolution" are inaccurate.
Whatever economic or cultural changes China has seen over the past few years has happened within the framework of reform and opening up. The official narrative is that the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s was not a revolution or social advancement in any sense, but a disaster.
...assessments of Li's case have been affected by various factors, such as CCTV using the phrase "death to the sinner" (自作孽不可活) on its official Weibo account, as well as criticisms of Li by many netizens.
Rule of law, not the internet
There has been unanimous online criticism of Li following his arrest, and he has rapidly gone from an internationally renowned pianist to a "fallen celebrity". And after the indignation, a few questions need to be considered.
First, China's Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security says that "a person who goes whoring shall be detained for not less than 10 days but not more than 15 days and may, in addition, be fined not more than 5,000 yuan". However, China's criminal code does not specify penalties for those who hire prostitutes.
There is no doubt that dealing with Li according to the law would have a deterrent effect. However, it is worth discussing whether Li's privacy was sufficiently protected when Beijing police indirectly named him when making public the details of the case.
Second, assessments of Li's case have been affected by various factors, such as CCTV using the phrase "death to the sinner" (自作孽不可活) on its official Weibo account, as well as criticisms of Li by many netizens.
Hiring a prostitute is a stain on Li's personal life, but he is not yet an enemy of society or the state. However, some political honours have been removed, and he has shut down his social media accounts.
And since Li has been detained, his case should be left to law enforcement or the justice system, not online comments.
Third, Li achieved what he did through his own effort; his success is real. But following the incident, the China Musicians Association terminated his membership, while his alma mater the Sichuan Conservatory of Music removed all material related to the pianist from their website, and took down the sign of the piano studio named after him.
Li's case shows that China is fair, but also reflects the immaturity of Chinese society.
Given the general atmosphere, these organisations may not have acted rationally, but if they continue in this vein, it will not help them to build up their professional image.
Fourth, chances are that Li will be punished, and that will be the end of it. He will still need to go back into society, which should give this extraordinarily talented young man a chance to continue doing what he is good at and serving society.
Imagine if an Olympic gold medallist was arrested for hiring a prostitute - should he be forever banished from the national team, when he can actually win more Olympic gold medals, and his teammates have no chance of winning like he can?
Generally, Li's case shows that China is fair, but also reflects the immaturity of Chinese society.
The residents of Beijing's Chaoyang district have previously been involved in cracking major cases of espionage and celebrities using drugs, earning them the online moniker the "Chaoyang public" (朝阳群众).
The 'Chaoyang public'
The residents of Beijing's Chaoyang district have previously been involved in cracking major cases of espionage and celebrities using drugs, earning them the online moniker the "Chaoyang public" (朝阳群众).
Chaoyang was where Li engaged with a prostitute, and it was reportedly the Chaoyang public that exposed it. And after Li's arrest, "Chaoyang public" was a top search.
I previously came across a song on the internet, titled Song of the Chaoyang Public (朝阳群众之歌), set to the tune of communist anthem L'Internationale, apparently praising the Chaoyang public for exposing and opposing a certain "villain" dressed in a red jacket.
However, I do not think the song was produced by the Chaoyang public, as it sounds more like a mockery of what they do and how the Chinese government interferes with people's private lives; there is reason to believe that the song and video were produced by a person or persons who hold opposing views, or who are from different backgrounds.