Kathmandu. February 5. With the aim of “cultivating masculinity” in boys, the Chinese Ministry of Education has announced a plan to increase aesthetic and physical fitness classes in schools across the nation. 

According to the Ministry’s official statement, the Government of China is concerned that the country’s male celebrities and idols no longer represent figures like “army heroes”. And, if this trend is not effectively managed, then it will cause difficulties in the survival and development of the Chinese nation. 

The announcement has triggered a huge flood of criticisms and backfires. Feminist Experts argue that the plan has reflected traditional stereotypes and attitudes of “sexism” which is against gender equality and diversity. “The plan sees feminine as negative and dangerous to China,” said Feminist scholar Li Jun. 

The nationwide plan stems from the proposal presented by Si Zefu in May. Zefu, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, claimed that the schooling by female teachers have caused boys to become too delicate and feminine.  The proposal advised the government to recruit retired athletes from sports backgrounds and vigorously train the male students with sports like “football” to help them master at least 1 or 2 sports skills and develop “manly” characters.

Media reports suggest that China’s one-child policy has contributed to promoting the tendency of parents pampering their boys.