Supporters of Chinese Billionaire’s Accuser in Rape Case Decry Censorship

For three years, Chen Chun published articles on his public WeChat account touching on politics, philosophy and current affairs—subjects that are often censored on Chinese social media. More recently, the writer in southern China has focused on the country’s growing #MeToo movement. He drew attention to several sexual assault cases, and collected money for victims’ families. Yet it was only after Chen advocated support for Jingyao Liu, a woman who accused online shopping giant JD.com founder Richard Liu of rape in Minnesota, that his account was permanently shut down.

CEO of JD.com Richard Liu Qiangdong arrives at the Great Hall of the People to attend the opening ceremony of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at The Great Hall of People in Beijing on March 3, 2018. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

BEIJING—For three years, Chen Chun published articles on his public WeChat account touching on politics, philosophy and current affairs—subjects that are often censored on Chinese social media.

More recently, the writer in southern China has focused on the country’s growing #MeToo movement. He drew attention to several sexual assault cases, and collected money for victims’ families.