7 Men Assault Woman Group at Chinese Restaurant... Assault Video Sparks Controversy

Woman Slaps Away Man's Hand, Then He Strikes Her Cheek and Punches
Public Outrage Over Video Showing Brutal Assault
Actor Seongryong Says, "I Couldn't Sleep After Watching the Video, It Was Heartbreaking"

Inside the restaurant, a man is attempting physical contact with a woman sitting at another table. Photo by Weibo Capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Joo-eun Lee] An incident occurred at a restaurant in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China, where seven men collectively assaulted four women, sparking public outrage.

According to Chinese media Soho and others on the 11th (local time), around 2:40 a.m. on the 10th, an incident took place at a restaurant in Lubei District, Tangshan City, where seven men violently attacked four women.

At the time, one man approached one of the women sitting at another table and attempted physical contact by placing his hand on her back, but when the woman pushed him away, several men began to assault her.

The closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage capturing the entire incident inside the restaurant was released online and quickly spread through Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo. Netizens who saw the footage demanded severe punishment for the suspects.

The assault that started inside the restaurant continued outside. Two of the assaulted women sustained injuries such as facial lacerations and were taken to a nearby hospital, but their lives are reportedly not in danger. Two other women who tried to intervene suffered only minor injuries.

After the report was filed, Chinese public security authorities arrived four hours later and arrested the seven men who committed the assault along with two female accomplices.

Some of the suspects are known to have prior criminal records. The public security bureau stated, "The suspects have been arrested and are under investigation," adding, "They will be severely punished according to the law."

Meanwhile, actor Jackie Chan expressed on Weibo, "I was so upset after watching the video that I couldn't sleep," and criticized, "All the men around just stood still while only the women got up and helped each other. Men should never assault women, and a group should never beat an individual."

Shuhua, the Taiwanese member of the girl group (G)I-DLE, also posted a lengthy message on her Weibo account, saying, "To the beloved women, I am sorry that I have no way to help with your fear and injustice."