Rare Protest Erupts in China Over Teen Bullying Case, Public Anger Boils Over Light Punishment

In a rare show of public defiance, residents of Jiangyou, Sichuan province, clashed with police this week over what they see as a lenient response to the brutal bullying of a 14-year-old girl. The girl, surnamed Lai, was verbally and physically attacked by three other teenage girls in a vacant building a scene widely circulated on Chinese social media.

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Outrage intensified after unverified rumors suggested the attackers’ families had political ties, prompting nighttime protests, confrontations with law enforcement, and people singing the national anthem in defiance. Despite official denials about those ties, the lack of clarity and perceived injustice has fueled a deeper frustration with how China handles juvenile crimes.

Authorities say two of the attackers will be sent to "corrective education" schools, and the third was let off with education and criticism sparking intense backlash. Under current Chinese law, minors under 16 are shielded from harsh punishment, even in cases involving violence.

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The case adds to a growing list of high-profile bullying incidents in China that have ended in death, outrage, or both. A recent survey shows that over half of Chinese students have experienced bullying, and the trend is forcing legislative reform. In response to mounting public pressure, China’s top legislature passed a new amendment allowing the detention of 14- to 16-year-olds for “serious and harmful” crimes effective next year.