TV Host Qian Feng Accused of Rape, China Criticizes Fandom Culture, Tokyo Paralympics Open Amid Covid Surge

Here is today’s ranking of the 10 most-read news stories in China, in economics, finance and current affairs, to help give you a sense of what’s trending in the Chinese language sphere.

Chinese social media users have been paying close attention to accusation of rape leveled at TV host Qian Feng. They are also following the Fukushima wastewater release and the level of protection offered by domestic vaccines against the delta variant of the coronavirus.

1. Famous Chinese TV host accused of rape

Chinese TV host Qian Feng (external source, in Chinese) was accused of sexual assault and suspended by broadcaster Hunan Television.

2. “Distorted aesthetics” in fandom culture criticized

The Beijing authorities held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss fandom culture (external source, in Chinese) and the recent spate of stars becoming embroiled in illegal scandals. They criticized the emergence of so-called “distorted aesthetics” and values.

3. Tokyo Paralympics open amid Covid surge

The Tokyo Paralympics (external source, in Chinese) opened Tuesday following a one-year postponement amid a public health crisis caused by a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

4. University clears Zhang Wenhong of academic fraud accusations

China’s elite Fudan University has concluded that the doctoral thesis of Zhang Wenhong “met all the criteria required at the time of submission,” and issued a statement on Monday exonerating the top epidemiologist from accusations of plagiarism, according to the local official newspaper Shanghai Daily.

5. Taliban announce “amnesty” for former Afghan president Ghani

The Taliban (external source, in Chinese) have announced an “amnesty” for former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani, allowing him to return to Afghanistan if he wishes, RIA Novosti reported on Monday.

6. Shanghai bans training institutions from poaching schoolteachers with high salaries

Shanghai on Tuesday issued a ruling banning private training institutions (external source, in Chinese) from poaching schoolteachers with the lure of high salaries and stressing that those engaged in subject-based training must have appropriate teaching qualifications.

7. Taliban warns of consequences if U.S. delays withdrawal

The Taliban will not agree to extend the deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops (external source, in Chinese) from Afghanistan and warned of “consequences” if the Aug. 31 deadline is not met.

8. Fukushima nuclear effluent to be discharged through a undersea tunnel

The Japanese government and Tepco (external source, in Chinese) have reportedly finalized plans for effluence from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It will be diverted to the sea 1 kilometer out from the coast through the construction of an undersea tunnel.

Photo: VCG

9. Protection rate of delta by Chinese vaccines close to 60%

The domestically-produced inactivated vaccine (external source, in Chinese) can offer protection against the delta variant, with an overall protection rate close to 60%, which rises to 70.2% for preventing moderate symptoms and 100% for severe cases, according to a study by China’s top respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan and his team.

10. U.S. scientists discover super antibodies to fight Covid

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis discovered a “super antibody” (external source, in Chinese) that is highly protective against all variants of the Covid-19, including delta, at low concentrations.

Translated by intern reporter Chen Bingyi.

Caixin has not independently verified the veracity or accuracy of all of the headlines or stories.

The daily ranking of most-read news stories among Chinese people, about China and global affairs, is jointly provided to you by Caixin Insight and HANA Data, an artificial intelligence technology team.

The key indicators calculated on the list are based on mass data sourced from China’s mainstream social media platforms and online news websites. Click here for a detailed introduction of our methodology.