The case helped ignite China's #MeToo movement and has led to increased awareness of women's rights. Chinese courts rarely grant hearings to such cases, and the country only very recently passed legislation that clearly defined sexual harassment.
Zhou Xiaoxuan, who is more popularly known by her online nickname Xianzi, had first come forward with her claims against Mr Zhu in an online essay in 2018. The piece went viral and prompted many others to come forward with their own experiences of sexual harassment. She launched legal action against Mr Zhu, a well-known host at state broadcaster CCTV, that same year. Mr Zhu has denied all the claims.
