Asian Insight

Li vs. Lee

Over the past couple of months, China has watched Li vs. Lee with cautious interest. On Aug 31., Kim Lee, and American expatriate living in China posted photos of her battered and bruised body on her Weibo page - a result of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband Li Yang, a popular Chinese educator who founded “Crazy English”. 

“Family ugliness must not be aired” is a familiar expression in China, disputes and fall outs must be kept within the four walls of the family home and shared no further. So when Kim Lee posted incriminating photos, China fell silent. However, over the past few weeks, netizens have turned to Weibo to voice their opinions, highlighting that the younger generation of China are beginning to disregard their parents culture and tradition of “saving face”

Mr. Li has openly admitted he beat his wife, but he doesn’t see the act as immoral. Describing it as “no big deal” in an interview, he continues to teach thousands of students across China. This has come under severe criticism from many which is a step forward for a society that usually brushes domestic dispute under the carpet.

The police and the law do not empathize and Ms. Lee continues to strive for clearer laws on domestic violence. According to the All-China Women’s Federation nearly 25% of women have experienced domestic violence. 

Without Weibo, Ms. Lee claims that she would never have been able to raise awareness and call for help and following her revelations, she feels “obliged” to help women in the same situation and change China’s domestic violence laws.

- Charlotte