Zhao Zhengwu, lawyer at Beijing-based Shangquan Law Firm: Legally speaking, rape and marriage fraud are two distinct things that require separate judgments. Whether this woman started the relationship out of greed would not affect the rape ruling. As long the woman clearly voiced her refusal to have sexual intercourse and the man disregarded her will, this already could be judged as rape.
Source: People’s Daily
Zhu Pingsheng, partner at Shanghai-based MHP Law Firm: A rape verdict is primarily based on whether the sex occurred against a woman’s will. If a court convicts the defendant of rape, it means the judge has key evidence such as video footage. The most significant basis in ruling on rape cases is determining whether violence or coercion is involved.
Source: Xinmin Weekly
Liu Haiming, journalism professor at Chongqing University: This is the typical tragic result of the bride price problem. Marriage is supposed to be pure and sacred, but for many people, bride prices have reduced marriage to an exchange, squeezing any morality, sincerity and purity from its veins. “Buyers” think they have the right to do what they want because they paid money. The “sellers” also treat marriage like a business deal.
Source: Jinchu Network News
The recent sentencing of a man in Datong, Shanxi Province, for raping his fiancée has raised vigorous online debate over multiple issues such as consent in relationships, marriage fraud and bride prices.
On December 25, Yangao County People’s Court sentenced the man surnamed Xi to three years in prison. The court found that he and the victim met through a matchmaking agency in January 2023. Throughout their relationship, the woman expressed her refusal to engage in premarital sex.
The couple held an engagement ceremony on May 1. The next day, Xi forced the woman to have sex in his 14th floor apartment. Afterward, she set fire to furniture and curtains. Surveillance video revealed that the woman fled and called for help on the floor below, but Xi forced her back into his apartment and took her phone. She reported the incident to police that night.
Xi’s mother surnamed Zhen told media that her son has filed an appeal. She claimed that prior to their engagement, the woman demanded that her son include her name on his property deed and pay her 200,000 yuan (US$28,000) as a bride price. Xi paid her 100,000 yuan (US$14,000) on their engagement day, and promised the rest after they married.
Following the incident, Zhen claimed the woman’s mother threatened her son to pay up and change his deed immediately or they would accuse him of rape. Since Xi’s family lacked the funds at the time and the deed was not readily available, the woman’s family pressed charges, Zhen said.
The court’s verdict ignited intense discussions online. Some praised the woman’s courage and the verdict for raising awareness about consent within relationships and advancing women’s rights. However, many netizens have questioned the woman’s motivation, accusing her of marriage fraud and extorting Xi for immediate payment. Critics of bride prices argued the practice distorts societal values on marriage, reducing it to a monetary transaction.
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