Valve, together with Perfect World, the main publisher of Dota 2 in China, has imposed sanctions on 13 Chinese players for violating the principles of integrity in esports. Five players received a lifetime ban, while eight others were handed a two-year disqualification.

The official statement was released on May 17. It states that the sanctions are being imposed due to "violations of sporting integrity," though the specifics of the violations were not detailed. According to the official announcement, in case of any discrepancies between language versions of the document, the Chinese version of the announcement takes precedence.

Players who received a lifetime ban:

• Lv Yubin (L'enfer, c'est les autres)
• Chen Zhichao (Small.kk)
• Liew Jun Jie (Eren)
• Hu Jiaxing (molasses)
• Li Qianyu (xiaoyu)

Players who received a two-year suspension:

• Zhu Lianfa (V)
• Feng Bonian (Killa)
• Li Xinyuan (RanFuDao)
• Liu Junhui (Manic)
• Wang Heng (三无 marble)
• Yu Chengwei (Tz)
• Wan Tao (59)

Perfect World has frequently been involved in investigations concerning match-fixing and other violations in Chinese esports. As Valve's official partner in the region, the company is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the integrity of competitions in China.

This situation highlights Valve and Perfect World's firm stance against unethical behavior in esports. Considering the importance of the Chinese market for Dota 2, such high-profile disqualifications could have a long-term impact on the regional scene and its trust among viewers and organizers.