Li Qiming

Li Qiming (李啟明) is a name that became associated with a significant incident in China involving perceived abuse of power and social privilege. While there may be individuals with this name, it is largely known in online Chinese discourse as shorthand for a particular event that sparked public outrage.

In October 2010, a man named Li Qiming, reportedly the son of a deputy police chief in Baoding, Hebei province, was driving on the Hebei University campus when he struck and injured two female students, killing one. After the incident, instead of stopping to help, he allegedly fled the scene. When apprehended, he purportedly stated, "My father is Li Gang" (我爸是李刚, Wǒ bà shì Lǐ Gāng), implying that his family connections would shield him from the consequences of his actions.

This statement, "My father is Li Gang," quickly went viral on the Chinese internet and became a symbol of official corruption, nepotism, and the perceived impunity of the wealthy and powerful. The phrase was used to criticize the abuse of power and the disparity between the privileged and the general public in China.

While the actual identity of Li Gang and the exact details of the incident remain debated by some online, the phrase "My father is Li Gang" (or references to Li Qiming) has been widely adopted as a meme and a rallying cry against perceived corruption and inequality within the Chinese system. The event significantly fueled public discourse on issues of social justice, accountability, and the influence of familial connections within the government and legal systems. The term "Li Qiming" is therefore strongly associated with this specific incident and its broader implications regarding power dynamics in Chinese society.

The incident was widely covered by Chinese media, albeit with varying degrees of directness, and remains a notable event in the history of Chinese internet activism and social commentary. The case served as a stark reminder of the public's sensitivity to issues of privilege and the potential for social unrest when such inequalities are perceived to go unchecked.