Fang Zhouzi Vs. Cui Yongyuan: How an Online Spat about GM Foods Ended in the Courts

Fang Zhouzi Vs. Cui Yongyuan: How an Online Spat about GM Foods Ended in the Courts
Aug 07, 2014 By eChinacities.com

Editor’s note: Last year, an online disagreement about genetically modified foods in China escalated in to a full-blown online war. The players? Famous Chinese TV host Cui Yongyuan – who was firmly anti-GM – and influential biochemist Fang Zhouzi (pen name of Fang Shimin) – an outspoke GM advocate. Both parties resorted to nasty public name-calling, with Fang finally taking Cui to court for defamation. Cui on the otherhand, decided to counter-sue for similar reasons. The hearing took place in a Beijing court recently, and as this translated article points out, neither side took the restrained and polite approach to plead their case. Read on for more details of what went on at the highly publicized trial.

Fang Zhouzi Vs. Cui Yongyuan: How an Online Spat about GM Foods Ended in the Courts
Photo: wantchinatimes.com

The background story

Should one eat genetically modified food or not, and more importantly, can one eat GM foods? – these questions have triggered widespread concern among society and the long running debate surrounding GM foods is showing no signs of abating. Moreover, it was the above two questions that triggered the war of words between popular Chinese TV host Cui Yongyuan and biochemist Fang Zhouzi.

According to Cui, last September the media posted a report titled “Fang Zhouzi: Conditions Should be Created to Allow People to Eat GM Foods Every Day”. Cui believed that the allegations in the report were disputable and so posted a Weibo that read: “#GM foods, do you eat it #You can choose to eat it, I can choose not to eat it. You can say you understand ‘science’; I have reason and the right to be suspicious of whether your understanding of ‘science’ is science at all. You can say I’m an idiot, but I can also say you’ve eaten in vain.”

Afterwards, Fang Zhouzi replied with the following Weibo post: “Of course you can choose not to eat [GM foods] but you can’t spread rumors that hinder the development of China’s agricultural technology. You don’t understand it in the slightest; statements should be based on facts.”

A debate between the two ensued on Weibo, culminating in a “swearing war” in which words like “scammer”, “scoundrel” and “crazy dog” were used. During this nasty war of words, Fang Zhouzi also mentioned that he’d sue Cui Yongyuan for libel.

The question of “whether or not to eat GM foods” thus instigated a Weibo war that would see Fang Zhouzi (original name Fang Shimin) take Cui Yongyuan to court. On July 23, during the court hearing, both sides accused each other of libel, with Fang Zhouzi seeking over 300,000 Yuan in damages and and Cui Yongyuan seeking 670,000 Yuan. Moreover, both parties accused each other of “malicious litigation”.

A no-show at court

Because both parties are influential public figures, at 9am, half an hour before leaving the court, the gallery of the Haidian District Court was fully seated, with dozens of journalists waiting outside. However, neither Fang Zhouzi nor Cui Yongyuan appeared for the hearing.

Fang initiated the hearing
   
Fang Zhouzi claims that Cui Yongyuan attacked and insulted him during their Weibo dispute in September 2013. Upon looking into the matter, it was discovered that Cui Yongyuan wrote posts saying “I don’t think this money was derived by Zhou’s (Editor’s note: Cui intentionally used a different character for “Zhou” meaning pork) science scams; there were most certainly other scamming methods involved too,” “On the one hand Zhou buys a luxury villa worth 3 million USD, on the other hand he complains that his asset funds aren’t enough.” In addition, Cui used words like “scammer” and “scoundrel”.

Fang Zhouzi believed that Cui’s Weibo posts are insulting and defamatory, and requested that he delete 24 posts from November 15, 2013 to February 2014, publicly apologize and pay over 300,000 Yuan in compensation for mental stress.

In the court, Cui’s representative argued that he didn’t infringe upon Fang and that Cui and Fang’s argument on Weibo was merely to allow the public to learn about GM foods. Fang misled the public on that point as the Weibo posts merely raised questions about his point of view, criticism and refuting claims. Terms like “scoundrel” and “scammer” were used to describe his behavior and that there was a basis for the name-calling – Fang on the other hand, used these as an excuse to instigate a “malicious litigation.”

All the above led Cui Yongyuan to counter sue. Cui believes that during their argument, Fang wrote 130 Weibos that scolded him by using insults and libelous phrases like “lying big bad wolf”, “crazy dog” and “hypocrite”. He even questioned his films, documentaries and philanthropic work. In response to this, Cui is requesting 670,000 RMB in damages, and a public apology that remains visible at the top page of his Weibo account for at least one year.

Sentencing date to be determined

Fang’s lawyers  believe that Fang’s counterattacks were rational and restrained and that they were less damaging than the language used by Cui. Moreover, Fang’s side claims that Cui is the one who instigated the “war” in the first place. Meanwhile, comments and remarks related to his philanthropic work were based on reasonable doubt and that Cui’s counter-suit was in fact “malicious”.

During the hearing, both sides presented large amounts of evidence,  which caused it to go on until the afternoon. Questions surrounding the legitimacy of the libel claims were being debated and no side was willing to settle. With no conclusion reached, the hearing was adjourned and a new date for the sentencing is yet to be determined.

At 10pm that evening, Cui Yongyuan held a mini-press conference at the Olympic Stadium, claiming that neither side was willing to settle.

At the scene

The lengthy cross-examination continued until the afternoon. To prove that the other party started a war of words, each side presented hundreds of Weibo posts; the testimony also drew upon news posts from internet.

To prove that he wasn’t the aggressor, Cui Yongyuan’s lawyer  went through each Weibo post one by one. He even referred to a ranking of “Mainland China’s biggest scumbags” posted on Hong Kong’s Phoenix TV, where Fang Zhouzi landed on the second spot. This particular reference caused laughter in the courtroom. Not only that, Cui’s side also cited the results of a poll about “the biggest rumor makers on Weibo” in which Fang garned 89.9% of votes. With this in mind, Cui’s side argued, Cui’s allegation that Fang was a “scammer” didn’t come from nowhere.

Fang Zhouzi’s lawyer loudly refuted the above argument, citing the fact that the Weibo poll was created by an anonymous user and therefore lacked public credibility. He also argued that the creator of the poll didn’t know the position and attitude of Fang and that the whole thing was controversial. As for the “scum ranking”, this Weibo post only reflects the fact some people online are attacking Fang Zhouzi and it cannot be used as the basis of Cui’s attack against Fang.

 

Source: iyaxin.com

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Keywords: GM Foods in China

2 Comments

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October1st

Did any of you view the TV of the research work Mr. Cui did in the USA last year? He interviewed many experts and farmers and other roles there. Not sure how much it could've been politicized...but it is interesting to hear words from two opposite sides. But again, we still do not know the truth. Maybe we are just the Laboratory rats and the result is waiting to be seen..

Aug 12, 2014 11:02 Report Abuse

Guest2326802

Eorthisio unbelievable you say this... you must be ignorant or ill informed.I go woth ill informed Theres enough food in the world to feed the world and every year for isntance even in india food is wasted and told to be destroyed based on quotas been met and profit targets.Its the system that is wrong not the lack of food Jeesh the waste.GMO debate is all about the big companies trying to make profit.Its based on ppl like you ,if they can fool guys like you into accepting GMO then they are winning the battle So,dont be a fool,look at the real facts behind the words and their real agenda. Dont be a drone and a clone Reduce malnutrition,do you really by this nonsense man,seriously,cant believe it

Aug 07, 2014 19:55 Report Abuse