Chinese microblogging website Weibo has banned a popular blogger for six months for saying women during World War II were lucky to "have survived the war," which triggered outrage online in China.
"In view of the broad influence the blogger has and the adverse social influence she has caused, we have decided to ban Ayawawa from posting and being followed on Weibo for six months," Weibo announced on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old blogger, whose real name is Yang Bingyang, has more than three million followers on Weibo. She identifies herself as a relationship writer and sells make-up and skin care products online.
"Though females were raped [during the war], at least they have a chance to survive and to witness history," she said on Weibo on Friday.
Her posts have been removed as of press time.
The post announcing Ayawawa's penalty has received over 900 comments as of press time, most of which applauded the ban. Others called for a permanent ban.
"It has touched the bottom line of society to use national trauma to gain attention… Ignorance of history and indifference to suffering will not only be publicly condemned but will also be punished," the People's Daily said on its Weibo account on Friday.
Ayawawa apologized on Weibo later that day, which was removed soon after.
Weibo shut down 16 bloggers, including the popular account "Baozoumanhua," during a recent campaign against online information that damages the image of national heroes and martyrs.