Art professor says sorry for forced kisses

A retired Chongqing art professor made an official apology on Sunday after he was photographed forcibly kissing two female students against their will in a restaurant.

A netizen posted three photos online on Friday showing Wang Xiaojian, a retired associate professor with the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, kissing two students in their early 20s on their cheeks and hands. The netizen said Wang had physical contact with the girls, despite their attempts to stop him, the Guangzhou-based Nandu Daily reported on Sunday.

The institute confirmed the veracity of the pictures on Sunday and barred him from participating in teaching, research and other academic activities in the school. The financial benefits enjoyed by the retiree will be cut.

Wang admitted that he had been drinking prior to the incident and apologized to the girls and the institute.

Wang did not immediately admit responsibility for his actions, saying in an interview with the Nandu Daily on Saturday, that "there was nothing wrong with him."

He explained that he had a close relationship with the two students and that he was "coaxing" them to work in the pictures.