Chinese Singer Qu Wanting Is Still Seeking Justice For Her Mum Who Was Arrested 6 Years Ago For Corruption

Prosectors had sought for a death penalty for Mingjie, with reports alleging that she had accepted bribes from individuals that was looking to force a number of low-income workers out of a formerly state-owned dormitory.

As a result, her actions forced thousands of these workers to live in inhumane conditions. At that time, she was the deputy head of Harbin’s PRC National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

While Mingjie was initially charged with three counts of corruption, accepting bribes and abuse of power, the prosecutors later changed their charges to two counts of accepting bribes and abuse of power.

However, after a two-day trial, Wanting’s mum was returned to police custody, with no final verdict passed on her case. Six years on, she remains in prison, with no chance of release.

After the news of Mingjie’s arrest, public sentiment towards Wanting on social media began to sour. Chinese netizens began attacking the singer, with some alleging that the 36-year-old singer was only able to study abroad in Canada ‘cos of her mum’s ill-gotten gains.

However, Mingjie’s lawyer later clarified that Wanting had gone abroad to study in Canada in 2000, while the crimes her mum was accused of only took place in 2009.

“When it comes to the timeline, Wanting had left for Canada to study nine years before her mum’s [alleged crimes] took place, [therefore], her time abroad as a student has nothing to do with her mum’s case,” the lawyer said.

Over the years, Wanting has taken to her social media a couple of times to post about her mother’s case, hoping for “justice to be done”.

In January 2019, she posted: "Mum has been detained for around four years, but the final verdict is still not out, my heart hurts. But I still believe that the law will give us a fair and just ending.”

And earlier this week, on September 22, Wanting took to her Weibo again to post a message in support of her mum.

“Sixth anniversary [of my mum’s arrest], with no results yet. I am still working hard, and harbouring a heart that [still] believes in justice. I trust that the humanity is definitely wise and just, lawful, upright and honourable. I miss you so much. Sending you so much love.” she wrote.

While Wanting disabled the comments function on her post, Chinese netizens seem to have remained critical of the singer.

Photos: PBE Media, Qu Wanting/Weibo