In April, Xue Wei, a former professor of violin at the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) in Beijing, posted on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media channel, to accuse Tong Weidong, the current dean of the orchestral instrument department at the same conservatory, of sexual abuse toward students and corruption in the entrance examination process. Xue, who wrote that he learned how to use Weibo “in order to collect allegations from others supporting his accusation,” offered 500,000 yuan—approximately $70,000—for victims of the alleged abuses to come forward. Tong denies the allegations. 


To continue reading, subscribe now.

Unlimited access to our
weekly issues and archives.


Already have an account?

… is an independent music journalist and critic based in Shanghai, where he was born in 1980. His journalism and criticism has appeared in Musical America, FT Chinese, das Orchester and elsewhere.