WeChat Group Created for Cyberbullying Quan Hongchan; Man Detained by Chinese Police
Chinese public security authorities have detained a man for 10 days and fined him for creating a WeChat group that cyberbullied diving athlete Quan Hongchan. The Ministry of Public Security stated that cyberspace is not lawless and vowed to crack down on online insults and defamation against athletes to promote healthy sports development.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 23:58
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:17 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 06:21 (222h 4m after Collected)
The Cyberspace Administration of the Ministry of Public Security of China announced on the evening of the 10th regarding the cyberbullying incident involving Quan Hongchan, stating that the chaos of 'fan circles' (fan groups) has severely disrupted the order of sports work, damaged the reputation of the sports industry, and harmed the image of the sports front. It has severely distorted the spirit of sports, eroded the value of sports, and weakened the function of sports, becoming a major risk factor affecting the healthy development of the sports cause.
The announcement pointed out that Xu (male, 31 years old) created a diving 'fan circle' WeChat group, inviting industry insiders and fans to join. To vent his dissatisfaction and anger, he repeatedly changed his nickname and repeatedly posted insulting remarks against 'an athlete from the Guangdong Provincial Ersha Sports Training Center' (Quan Hongchan) in the group, maliciously engaging in smear campaigns and instigating conflict, causing a bad influence.
The announcement stated that currently, the public security organs have lawfully imposed an administrative detention of 10 days and a fine on Xu, and have also dealt with other relevant individuals involved in the group according to the law.
The Cyberspace Administration of the Ministry of Public Security of China emphasized that cyberspace is not beyond the law, and public security organs' cybersecurity departments will lawfully and severely crack down on illegal and criminal activities such as online insults, defamation, and slander against athletes, coaches, and management personnel in the form of 'fan circles,' effectively promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the sports industry.
Quan Hongchan is the youngest three-time gold medalist in China's Olympic history. However, behind the glory, she choked back tears when discussing weight issues and cyberbullying in an interview with 'People' in late March, pleading, 'Please stop scolding me.'
It is rumored online that a WeChat group named 'Water Flower Conquerors Alliance' has been long-term maliciously insulting Quan Hongchan. Group members are suspected to include her national teammates, diving reporters, and referees, among other industry insiders, but this information has not yet been officially confirmed or clarified by relevant personnel.
The Guangdong Provincial Ersha Sports Training Center, where Quan Hongchan belongs, stated on the 8th that they have reported the incident to the police and will resolutely pursue legal responsibility for the cyberbullies. The Swimming Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China subsequently issued a statement expressing firm support for using legal means to protect the legitimate rights and interests of athletes and firmly resisting the erosion of deformed 'fan circle' culture.
Earlier, the Yuexiu Branch of the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau in Guangdong Province issued a police report, disclosing that Xu, the administrator of the WeChat group that cyberbullied Quan Hongchan, has been administratively detained. (Editor: Yang Shengru/Qiu Guoqiang) 1150410
The announcement pointed out that Xu (male, 31 years old) created a diving 'fan circle' WeChat group, inviting industry insiders and fans to join. To vent his dissatisfaction and anger, he repeatedly changed his nickname and repeatedly posted insulting remarks against 'an athlete from the Guangdong Provincial Ersha Sports Training Center' (Quan Hongchan) in the group, maliciously engaging in smear campaigns and instigating conflict, causing a bad influence.
The announcement stated that currently, the public security organs have lawfully imposed an administrative detention of 10 days and a fine on Xu, and have also dealt with other relevant individuals involved in the group according to the law.
The Cyberspace Administration of the Ministry of Public Security of China emphasized that cyberspace is not beyond the law, and public security organs' cybersecurity departments will lawfully and severely crack down on illegal and criminal activities such as online insults, defamation, and slander against athletes, coaches, and management personnel in the form of 'fan circles,' effectively promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the sports industry.
Quan Hongchan is the youngest three-time gold medalist in China's Olympic history. However, behind the glory, she choked back tears when discussing weight issues and cyberbullying in an interview with 'People' in late March, pleading, 'Please stop scolding me.'
It is rumored online that a WeChat group named 'Water Flower Conquerors Alliance' has been long-term maliciously insulting Quan Hongchan. Group members are suspected to include her national teammates, diving reporters, and referees, among other industry insiders, but this information has not yet been officially confirmed or clarified by relevant personnel.
The Guangdong Provincial Ersha Sports Training Center, where Quan Hongchan belongs, stated on the 8th that they have reported the incident to the police and will resolutely pursue legal responsibility for the cyberbullies. The Swimming Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China subsequently issued a statement expressing firm support for using legal means to protect the legitimate rights and interests of athletes and firmly resisting the erosion of deformed 'fan circle' culture.
Earlier, the Yuexiu Branch of the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau in Guangdong Province issued a police report, disclosing that Xu, the administrator of the WeChat group that cyberbullied Quan Hongchan, has been administratively detained. (Editor: Yang Shengru/Qiu Guoqiang) 1150410