Recently, a netizen exposed on social media that a researcher named Zeng at the Biomedical and Chemical Cross-Research Center of the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai, had been harassing, molesting, and bullying his classmates for two years under the guise of a “senior brother.” The affected students reported the incidents, but the center only issued a severe warning as punishment, sparking controversy online.
According to reports from Benliu News and Hubei Economic TV, the video publisher, Li, is a student at the Biomedical and Chemical Cross-Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a victim of the incidents.
Li described that since he started his research internship with a teacher in July 2022, Zeng, a senior in the same research group, frequently subjected him to molestation during shared experiments, starting from touching his thighs and face to eventually touching private areas and engaging in verbal harassment. “I clearly told him that this behavior is inappropriate, but not only did he not stop, he also mocked me.”
Li mentioned that Zeng held a higher position in the laboratory hierarchy, often being tasked by the supervisor to allocate experiments and lead the team. As a result, if Li resisted or refused Zeng’s requests, Zeng would exclude him from participating in experiments. Unable to confront Zeng, Li tried to avoid working in the same laboratory as much as possible.
However, in July 2024, due to an experiment requirement, Li had to interact with Zeng again, who continued to harass him. After Li distanced himself from Zeng, Zeng began to defame and insult him.
On January 21, 2025, Li reported the incidents to the Pudong Branch of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. However, the next day, the Pudong Branch notified him in writing that the investigation had been halted due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Based on materials provided by Li to two media outlets and multiple screenshots of WeChat conversations, it was revealed that Zeng not only harassed Li but also two other male students in the laboratory with inappropriate touches or harassment. Other students also experienced varying degrees of harassment, verbal insults, and suppression, as detailed in a 21-page PDF document submitted by Li.
Li also presented this document to the center’s teachers. On February 24, a meeting was held at the center to discuss the situation, confirming that Zeng’s actions towards Li and another male student constituted harassment and molestation. However, despite Zeng admitting to his behavior during the investigation and showing willingness to take responsibility, the center only issued criticism, a severe warning, and internal disciplinary action in the form of public notice.
Li expressed his dissatisfaction with this outcome.
He stated that Zeng’s actions not only caused physical and mental harm to the affected students but also, as a senior brother in the laboratory, his behavior of pressuring and ostracizing classmates during experiments and assignments undermined other students’ opportunities for fair and just learning. Therefore, he hoped that the center would either expel Zeng or at least give him a serious disciplinary action to make him reflect on his actions and provide a fair resolution to the victims.
On February 25, Benliu News contacted the center’s graduate office regarding the matter. A teacher named Yao responded that the center had fairly handled the situation as reported by Li and would not provide further comments on the issue.
The handling of the situation by the school has sparked heated discussions online. Many netizens criticized the school, saying, “The punishment is too lenient. Although there was action taken, it was not a fair treatment. It’s essentially condoning and protecting the harasser, causing secondary harm to the victims. As a national-level university research center, it should be a place to cultivate high-level talents. Even if it cannot produce experts, it should not breed criminals.” “The school’s response is insincere and indifferent to the students. According to common sense, both students and the school should report to the police, as this is a criminal case, and harassment, whether to the same or opposite sex, carries legal consequences.”
Others expressed confusion, saying, “I wonder what kind of school would consider the handling of such a serious problem as ‘the center has fairly handled the situation as reported by Li’? What kind of social or identity background does Zeng have? I can confirm that harassment and molestation among males (compared to opposite sexes) cause even greater harm to the victims.” “If it was a fair treatment, why wouldn’t they respond to the issue? Persistent harassment and bullying of classmates constitute criminal acts that should be prosecuted by the prosecutor’s office, and the Biomedical and Chemical Cross-Research Center of the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has no authority to handle it internally.” “People like this perpetrator, even if they possess certain research abilities, are likely to commit crimes that endanger society.” “Do we need a major incident to occur before someone takes action?” “What is the background of this bully?”