Fan Bingbing has been missing from public view ever since June, leading many to believe that she is suspected of tax evasion. Now the worst has been confirmed, as one of China’s biggest stars faces a $129 million government fine. According to state news agency Xinhua, she will escape jail time if she pays the fine on time.
With the highest salary of any woman in The Middle Kingdom, her problems began when a film contract she signed was leaked onto Chinese social media in late May, sparking an investigation into how much tax she actually pays. It has been suspected that she has been held in detention since June. The Iron Man and X-Men actress broke her silence and posted a message on the Chinese social media site Weibo today, writing:
“I completely accept all the penalty decisions made according to law, after the investigation done by tax authorities. I will follow the order, try my best to overcome difficulties, raise fund, pay taxes and fines.”
The response on social media has been unforgiving, perhaps spelling the end of the actress’ career. It’s worth noting how hard it is to come back in China after mistakes of this magnitude, just look at Bai Ling’s 20 year ostracisation. In an attempt to mitigate this, Fan Bingbing has written of the Communist Party: “Without the good policies of the party and the state, and without the love of the people, there would be no Fan Bingbing.”
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