Chinese Student's Call to Raise Age of Consent to 18 Goes Viral After Video Is Censored

(CNA, by reporter Liao Wen-chi, Shanghai, June 10) During China's recent Gaokao (college entrance exam), a female student in Shandong, in an interview outside an exam center, expressed her hope to raise the "age of sexual consent" from 14 to 18. The video was taken down from Chinese internet platforms, and the incident became a top trending topic on Weibo today, with many netizens expressing support for the student's viewpoint.

According to combined reports from HK01 and Sing Tao Daily, on June 8, outside a Gaokao exam center in Shandong, a female student was interviewed by a reporter. When asked if the exam was difficult, she said it was okay. The reporter then asked if she had anything else to say. After some thought, the student stated she hoped to "raise the age of sexual consent to 18."

The video was widely circulated online but was promptly taken down the same day from Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and Douyin without any reason given. After the video was removed, the student's personal information, including her name, school, and home address, was disclosed by netizens, and attacks targeting her appeared.

The topic continued to ferment online, and today, "Gaokao girl's video taken down" once reached the second spot on Weibo's trending list.

On Weibo, many netizens came forward, starting their posts with "I am here to say," and stated, "I support raising the legal age of sexual consent to 18."

One netizen commented, "At 14, you can't ride an e-bike, can't play games (due to time limits for minors), can't buy tobacco or alcohol, yet you can consent to sex?" Another said, "Teenage romance is called 'puppy love' and is strictly monitored, doesn't a 14-year-old age of consent feel contradictory?" and "Those who oppose are just looking for minors."

According to current Chinese criminal law, "raping a girl under the age of fourteen is considered rape and is punished severely," which has led to the age of sexual consent being widely regarded as 14. In Taiwan, the age of sexual autonomy is 16. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150610