Recently, Beijing University Chinese professor Kong Qingdong, known for his strong views and active presence in online public opinion, has sparked outrage for insulting supporters of traditional Chinese clothing (Hanfu). Several Hanfu platforms have released statements demanding a public apology from him and calling on Beijing University to initiate accountability procedures.
In a recent post, Kong Qingdong criticized the Hanfu supporters by commenting on the clothing worn during a New Year’s show in Henan, saying that the costumes were “not Hanfu at all, but costume clothes.” He used strong language, including terms like “impure mix of Chinese and barbarians” and “beasts,” to criticize the Hanfu supporters, even referring to a young boy dressed in Hanfu for the Spring Festival Gala as a “little eunuch.”
This statement has sparked strong dissatisfaction among supporters of Hanfu and some netizens.
On February 19, a blogger reported Kong Qingdong to the Ministry of Education, accusing him of “insulting Hanfu, damaging national culture, fueling ethnic conflicts, and violating public order and good customs.” The blogger requested relevant departments to investigate, issue warnings, criticism, and cancel promotions and qualifications for advancement.
Multiple Hanfu community platforms, including China Hanfu Net, subsequently issued a joint statement demanding a public apology from Kong Qingdong and calling on Beijing University and educational authorities to initiate accountability procedures.
The statement pointed out that during the Chinese New Year, a time emphasizing cultural identity and reunion, Kong Qingdong publicly denied the historical existence of Hanfu during the children’s Hanfu performance at the Henan New Year’s Eve party and the Hanfu revival movement. His use of insulting language towards the children and supporters of the performance has caused harm to the relevant groups.
The statement stated that his actions seriously damage the image of the university, and he must issue a public apology. It earnestly requested Beijing University and relevant departments of the Ministry of Education to initiate a formal investigation into Kong Qingdong’s ethical misconduct and cyber violence.
The statement also indicated that they would assist affected parents and groups in preserving their legal rights to seek accountability.
In the public opinion arena, discussions on the matter continue to escalate. Some internet users lamented that Kong Qingdong, who was previously known for criticizing “positive energy” bloggers, is now being inundated with derogatory names like “worshipper of foreign culture,” “teaching beast,” and “social scum.”
Others pointed out, “As a professor at Beijing University and a well-known scholar, publicly making such insinuating and provocative nationalistic remarks is highly inappropriate!”
“On the first day of the Lunar New Year, this ‘beast’ Kong Qingdong from Beijing University verbally abused a young Han Chinese child wearing Hanfu, which is blatant bullying. He has the audacity to accuse others of bullying when he himself is the epitome of shamelessness.”
Another internet user commented, “I urge everyone to call Beijing University and demand the cancellation of all benefits for Kong Qingdong… whether he is still working or retired.”
Kong Qingdong has previously made strong criticisms against “positive energy” bloggers on the internet, leading some netizens to mockingly dub him as one of the “four evildoers” and the “most shameless person in Beijing University in a hundred years.”
In 2012, Kong Qingdong stirred controversy with comments made on the program “Kong Shifu Has Something to Say,” where he insulted, “Many Hong Kong people don’t consider themselves Chinese… these people have been used to being lackeys of the British colonizers, and to this day, they are still dogs, not humans. I know that many people in Hong Kong are good, but many Hong Kong people are still dogs.”