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| Legal Team Issues Reminder: “The Internet Is Not Outside the Law” (Image via: Weibo) |
Chinese actress and singer Esther Yu (Yu Shuxin) has secured a final court victory in her defamation lawsuit against a Weibo user, with the second-instance court rejecting the defendant’s appeal and upholding an order for a public apology and 30,000 RMB (around 4,374 USD) in compensation. The ruling closes a case that has been closely followed by fans and legal observers alike.
On 27 February 2026, the second-instance judgment was formally announced in the dispute over reputation rights between Yu Shuxin and a Weibo user identified as Xu**, who operated under the account “朝***r”. The case was represented by Beijing Xingquan Law Firm.
The court confirmed that from January to December 2024, the defendant repeatedly posted insulting and defamatory remarks about Yu Shuxin, which negatively affected her public image.
According to the first-instance ruling delivered on 24 November 2025 by the Shanghai Putuo District People’s Court, the posts contained highly derogatory language and unverified allegations, including claims that damaged her reputation in the public sphere.
The court found that these statements amounted to infringement of reputation rights.
It ordered the defendant to publish a formal apology in the People’s Court Daily within ten days of the judgment taking effect and to pay 30,000 RMB covering emotional distress and legal costs.
Unhappy with the decision, the defendant filed an appeal. However, the second-instance court ruled that the facts were clear and the law had been correctly applied in the original judgment. The appeal was dismissed, and the initial verdict was upheld in full.
In its official statement dated 2 March 2026, Beijing Xingquan Law Firm reiterated a clear message: the internet is not a lawless space.
Users remain legally responsible for the content they publish, particularly when it involves accusations or personal attacks that may harm another person’s reputation. The firm added that if the defendant fails to comply with the ruling, enforcement proceedings may be initiated.
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| Esther Yu Wins Court Fight, ‘Hater’ Ordered to Pay 30,000 RMB |
For Esther Yu, the outcome marks a decisive legal win in a year where public figures have increasingly turned to the courts to address online misconduct.
Fan and netizen reactions have been mixed but intense. Supporters of Yu Shuxin flooded social media with congratulatory messages, praising her for defending her name through legal channels rather than engaging in online back-and-forth.
Many described the ruling as “fair” and “long overdue,” arguing that public figures should not be easy targets for unchecked online commentary.
Others, however, debated the wider implications. Some netizens questioned whether such cases could have a chilling effect on online speech, while legal commentators countered that the judgment focused specifically on defamatory and insulting content, not reasonable criticism.
What do you make of the verdict? Is this a necessary step towards healthier online spaces, or does it raise new questions about expression on social platforms?