China Power | Society | East Asia

The Danger of Being a Female Livestreamer in China

When a fan thinks he owns you, online entitlement can morph into real-world violence.

On the morning of October 15, 2025, a livestreamer known as Sisi stepped out of her apartment in Yongzhou, China, with her young daughter. On the shoe rack outside her door sat an unfamiliar package. When she picked it up, it exploded.

The blast burned Sisi’s face, neck and arms. Her daughter escaped serious injury, though part of her hair and backpack were singed. Police arrested a former viewer, then 27-year-old Liu Mouqiang, later that day. According to the indictment reported by Chinese media, the package was the fourth in a series of attacks prosecutors say Liu carried out against Sisi.

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On the morning of October 15, 2025, a livestreamer known as Sisi stepped out of her apartment in Yongzhou, China, with her young daughter. On the shoe rack outside her door sat an unfamiliar package. When she picked it up, it exploded.

The blast burned Sisi’s face, neck and........

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