Mainland influencer investigated for allegedly promoting misleading values

A mainland Chinese internet influencer who teaches women how to attract men using so-called "X-shaped body language" has come under official investigation, after her content was accused of promoting improper values.

A video showing the influencer demonstrating eye contact and body posture techniques recently went viral on social media.

The influencer, Zhou Yuan, frequently shares relationship advice online and runs paid courses teaching women how to use body language to attract the opposite sex, with fees ranging from 999 yuan to as much as 88,000 yuan.

However, her videos and courses were later criticised for being overly suggestive and for portraying women as submissive to men, allegedly violating public morals. As a result, her online accounts and paid courses have been shut down.

Authorities in Changsha, said on Friday that the market supervision bureau, together with police and cultural departments, has launched a formal investigation into Zhou.

Meanwhile, Jimu News commented that the case highlights long-standing chaos in the influencer "pay-to-learn" market, urging authorities to conduct a comprehensive crackdown.