Photo: Screenshot from the official website of Dalian Polytechnic University

Former Ukrainian professional Counter-Strike player Danylo Teslenko, also known as “Zeus,” apologized on Sunday evening and expressed regret for posting intimate videos involving a Chinese female university student which led to university’s decision of planned expulsion of her. The incident has sparked heated online debate, centering on whether the female student having an extramarital affair with a foreign male could be regarded as an action undermining national dignity and whether the university’s public notice unveiling her full name violated her privacy. 

Dalian Polytechnic University in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province, announced in a statement on July 8 the plan to expel a female student surnamed Li due to a suspected extramarital affair with the former Ukrainian esports player last December, citing severe negative impact under its disciplinary regulations. 

The university cited disciplinary regulations stating that students who engage in improper relationships with foreigners that undermine national dignity and the university’s reputation may face a demerit or more serious disciplinary action, depending on the circumstances. 

According to previous media reports, while Zeus posted their intimate videos and photos online, he also referred to Chinese student as “easy girl.”

News of the expulsion trended on Chinese social media on Sunday, sparking debate among netizens, media outlets, independent commentators, and news analysts, with sharply divided opinions. 

On one hand, numerous media reports, including videos, articles, and independent posts supported the university’s decision to expel the student, echoing netizens who criticized the female student for “throwing herself at” foreign men, being obsessed with foreign culture. Some even argue that her behavior not only tarnished the national image but also “embarrassed the country abroad,” in support of the university’s expulsion decision. 

On the other, some other netizens pointed out that in the process of sharing the university’s notice, most media outlets failed to redact the student’s full name, with these news editors, perhaps unconsciously, joining the frenzy for clicks, compromising basic journalistic ethics. 

Many netizens noted on social media that disclosing the student’s full name exceeded the exposure given to many criminal offenders. 

Moreover, the university’s disciplinary rules drew sharp criticism, and were criticized by some netizens as being akin to “Stone Age” school rules. The opponents said that the rules not only reflect the school’s outdated views on student management and a parental-style approach, while potentially violating higher laws such as China’s Education Law and Higher Education Law, and infringing on students’ basic rights. 

On Sunday evening, Zeus responded to the incident on his social media, apologizing to the girl involved and denying allegations of infidelity. Zeus expressed regret for his actions and clarified that he is neither married nor in a relationship. 

In another post, Zeus attempted to defend himself, saying “I have never said that Chinese girls are easy – that’s completely untrue. I have deep respect for China and Chinese culture. I did nothing wrong. The only unfortunate thing is that the girl never mentioned she had a boyfriend. I believe if it weren’t for that detail, nothing bad would’ve happened.” The post has also sparked netizens’ question that the legal responsibility that Zeus should bear, such as infringement of privacy. 

One netizen commented that instead of offering a genuine apology, Zeus’ response came across as purely defensive. He claimed he didn’t know Li had a boyfriend, seemingly trying to shift the blame onto her. “He just wants this to end quickly,” the netizen wrote, “because it only brings harm to him – no event organizer in China would dare invite him again.”

More netizens criticized Zeus for uploading a private video to the internet without the other party’s consent, calling it a severe violation of the girl’s privacy. They accused him of now playing the “victim” card, pretending to be the one who was wronged. 

According to Fu Jian, a lawyer from Henan Zejin Law Firm, universities have the right to establish its own student management regulations to standardize and manage students’ behavior in order to maintain the normal educational, teaching, and campus order of the school. However, Fu doubts whether the university has the right or obligation to evaluate students’ private lives, especially when the student’s behavior does not violate any laws or regulations and only involves moral issues. Elevating a personal moral issue to the level of expulsion – remains debatable. In this incident, the foreign eSports player faced no legal or disciplinary consequences for his act that potentially infringe on another person’s privacy and potentially constitute the distribution of obscene content, while the Chinese female student faces the severe punishment of expulsion, Xiaoxiang Morning Post reported on Sunday. 

Global Times