A university in northeastern China has ignited nationwide debate after announcing the expulsion of a female student for allegedly “damaging national dignity” through “improper interactions” with a foreign man. The disciplinary decision, revealed in a public statement by Dalian Polytechnic University, has gone viral on Chinese social media platforms, sparking fierce discussions around privacy, gender norms, and rising nationalism in modern China.

Female Student Expelled for “Damaging National Dignity” in Alleged Hotel Encounter

The university’s notice, published last week, stated that the student in question would be expelled within 60 days. Her alleged misconduct, which reportedly took place on December 16, 2024, was vaguely defined as “improper interactions with foreigners” that caused a “terrible negative impact.” Although the school released her full name, The Associated Press and many outlets have withheld it for privacy and legal reasons.

No further details were provided by the university about the nature of the student’s alleged actions. However, many internet users believe the case is linked to videos shared online by Danylo Teslenko, a Ukrainian professional gamer known as “Zeus,” who is seen getting close with a woman of East Asian descent in a hotel room. The authenticity of the link between the student and the woman in the video remains unverified.

Teslenko admitted on Sunday via X (formerly Twitter) that he had posted “a few videos on Telegram with a girl I met in Shanghai,” claiming he deleted them after realizing the seriousness of the situation. “Our faces were visible, but there was no explicit content or anything disrespectful in those videos,” he clarified, also denying ever having said “Chinese girls are easy.”

Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin have since been flooded with critical commentary. Thousands of users are questioning whether the university has the right to interfere in the personal lives of students or escalate a private affair to a matter of national dignity.

“This is not just about school discipline. It’s a violation of individual rights,” commented one user. Others labeled the decision as “misogynistic” or likened it to “Taliban-style” control over women’s bodies. Critics also questioned whether a male student in a similar situation with a foreign woman would have been punished—or even celebrated.

The backlash has extended to China’s own media. The Paper, a prominent state-run outlet based in Shanghai, criticized the university for publishing the student’s full name, suggesting it could potentially breach the country’s Personal Information Protection Law. “It is improper to graft private affairs onto the public domain for public disposal,” The Paper noted in its editorial.

The incident has highlighted several tensions within Chinese society—ranging from deepening gender inequality to the increasing politicization of personal conduct under the banner of nationalism. Some analysts suggest that the case reflects a broader shift toward conservative values and institutional control, particularly over young women’s behavior.

Media reports state that the student and Teslenko likely met during the Perfect World Shanghai Major, a major e-sports event held in December 2024. Despite the global nature of such events, the university’s reaction appears to signal a stricter interpretation of national dignity and morality standards within academic institutions.

Dalian Polytechnic University has yet to respond to media inquiries for clarification.

As the story continues to unfold, the public debate surrounding the boundaries between private life and state oversight is only growing louder.