What the explosive story of ‘Sister Hong’ reveals about sexual repression in China

July 21, 2025

The case of "Nanjing Sister Hong" has ignited widespread discussion across China about gender inequality and sexual exploitation in the digital age. Police in Nanjing arrested a 38-year-old man named Chao who had posed as a woman, offering free sexual encounters to men while secretly recording these interactions with hidden cameras and selling the videos online for profit. At least 237 male victims have been identified, though the actual number may exceed 1,000 based on video sales records.

Who is affected

237 identified male victims (with potentially over 1,000 total victims)
Men from various backgrounds and age groups who visited "Sister Hong"
Young and inexperienced men who were particularly vulnerable
Chinese men generally, who face sexual repression and dating pressure
Bystanders and video consumers who became complicit in the crime

What action is being taken

Police in Nanjing have arrested the 38-year-old man (Chao) who posed as "Sister Hong"
Authorities are investigating the privacy infringement crimes
Social media platforms are hosting discussions about the societal issues revealed by the case
Some individuals are speaking out against the collective bullying and doxxing of victims
The case is being analyzed by commentators and experts in the context of China's sexual repression

Why it matters

The case exposes widespread sexual repression in Chinese society and limited sexual education
It highlights how China's gender imbalance (34.9 million more men than women) creates relationship pressures
The incident demonstrates new forms of sexual exploitation enabled by digital technology
Public reaction reveals problematic attitudes toward male victims of sexual crimes
The case illustrates consequences of China's anti-pornography campaigns and crackdowns on sexual content
It shows how sexual repression can create underground markets for sexual content and encounters

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices