(ECNS) -- A student surnamed Xu failed to access a post-graduate program at Nanjing University in China due to his abuse of cats, despite ranking first in major courses, sparking debate on the role of morality in the review process. 

After being rejected by the Physics School of Nanjing University in Jiangsu Province, Xu was included in the interview adjustment list for Lanzhou University in Gansu Province. 

A staff member from Lanzhou University on Sunday stated that procedures would be strictly followed, according to the Paper, which failed to gain an interview with Xu. 

Previously, footage depicting Xu killing cats in his dormitory received widespread coverage online, prompting the Nanjing Public Security Bureau to summon the student and his family for questioning. 

Xu subsequently acknowledged his mistake and wrote a letter of repentance, promising that such behavior would not reoccur.

Although Nanjing University refrained from explaining the reasons for not accepting Xu, it confirmed there had been no procedural issues.

The Management Regulations for the National Master's Degree Graduate Enrollment Work in 2024 published by the Chinese Ministry of Education explicitly states that "those who fail the ideological and moral character assessment shall not be admitted." 

While most netizens expressed support for the university's decisions, with statements like "this school handles things well" and "lack of moral character must be rejected," some have warned against excessive public judgment. 

Former editor-in-chief of the Global Times Hu Xijin said that public opinion should not continue "hunting down" the candidate.

He suggested that society should provide the student an opportunity to go straight, rather than shun him. 

Previously, a student named Li from a university in Henan Province was reported to have engaged in cat abuse, resulting in the revocation of his student status. 

Similarly, at a school in Sichuan Province, two students were reported to have abused stray dogs. The school had reported the incident to police while the two students were placed under school surveillance.