Professor loses qualifications after sex with his students

A history professor at Xiamen University in Fujian Province was expelled from the Communist Party of China and had his teaching qualifications revoked for abusing his position and having sex with female students, the university announced Tuesday night.

Wu Chunming's behavior was exposed by an anonymous Weibo user in June, who claimed that Wu had approached many female students offering to provide thesis supervision and to recommend them for postgraduate or doctoral studies.

During a three-month investigation, Wu admitted to the inappropriate behavior and said that he could not remember how many female students he had had sex with, reported the Fujian-based Strait Herald.

A photo uploaded to Weibo by a different user in July showed Wu in bed, partially naked. The person who posted the picture said she was coerced into having a long-term sexual relationship with Wu.

Some students from the history department said they were shocked by the news and that "Wu looked like a decent person, judging from his appearance."

"This punishment is too weak. Wu could return to teaching after five years," Li Ying, a lawyer representing one of the female students, told the Global Times, referring to the fact that under China's regulations regarding teacher misconduct, Wu can re-apply for his qualifications after a suspension period.

Li expressed fears that Wu might retain the title of professor and be allowed to work for the university in other roles.