Tax concerns persist for China actress Fan Bingbing despite new Malaysian tourism envoy role

In the wake of her China ban, Fan Bingbing has been working to boost her global profile. Photo: Shutterstock

• Online critics ask why Fan was chosen for tourism ambassador role when there are plenty of 'clean' stars to choose from

The fanfare surrounding mainland actress Fan Bingbing's recent appointment as a tourism ambassador by Malaysia is being stifled as she struggles to shake off concerns about her tax affairs.

Despite much positive coverage of her appointment as a tourist envoy to the state of Malacca, the star is facing ongoing questions about her tax status from critics online.

Some people are asking why Fan was chosen for the tourism role when there are plenty of "clean" actors out there to choose from.

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"Why hire her? There are many other Chinese celebrities with no record of malpractice," said one online observer.

While another added: "She evaded tax and got censored in China. But she got many jobs overseas. This appointment is beyond my imagination."

The 42-year-old actress was among the country's highest-earning stars and one of the best internationally-known artists from China before she was investigated for evading taxes in May 2018.

She was alleged to have signed two contracts to conceal her real income.

In October 2018, the tax authorities ordered her to pay about 884 million yuan (US$122 million) in overdue taxes and fines.

It was the largest amount of money a single celebrity had paid in a tax case in the country's history.

Fan was banned from acting and is not allowed to produce films in China. There has been very little media coverage of her in mainland China during that time, although her products are still available online.

However, much of the reaction to Fan's Malaysian appointment was positive.

"I think she is the only Chinese star who has been named to promote tourism abroad. Isn't this a kind of winning honour for our country?" an online observer in China said.

"She is a truly international star. That's why she is so popular in Malaysia and has been named as the tourism ambassador," said another on Weibo.

She visited the state from June 14-16 to promote tourism.

Malacca's chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh announced her appointment as a tourism ambassador at the end of May.

She was appointed to her new role mainly due to the connections of her agent, Jersey Chong, who is a Malaysian citizen.

"I am very delighted to receive this task. I feel honoured and have a big responsibility as the tourism ambassador," Fan, dressed in local traditional clothes, told a media event in Malacca.

"I need not only tell people from China but also from around the world that Malacca is a place suitable for leisure and travel. Its long history, beautiful scenery, delicious food, local residents' simplicity and hospitality all deserve to be known to more people," she added.

The star is still active on China's X-like platform Weibo, where she has 63 million followers.

Fan did not respond directly to media inquiries about whether she will live in Malaysia, buy property there, or join the Malaysia retirement residency visa programme.

She only said the country is not strange to her because she has a Malaysian colleague and is interested in learning the local culture.

"Malaysia has many film directors and talented individuals, so I hope to collaborate with them someday," Fan said.

The Chinese star received overwhelming support in Malacca as local fans held her images, posters and dolls and sought her autograph.

A wall painting of Wu Meiniang, a well-known character Fan played in an ancient costume Chinese TV series years ago, has been completed recently in one of Malacca's main streets.

The Malaysian state has many of the characteristics of Dali in Yunnan, a southwestern province of China, both boasting a rich history and relaxing environment, said Fan.

The actress has been developing her career overseas in recent years.

She attended the Berlin International Film last year for the premiere of Green Night in which she has a lead role.

Set in South Korea, the film was nominated for a Teddy Award and a Panorama Audience Award.

Earlier this year, she was invited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to attend the local New Year Songkran Festival Day event to boost tourism.

At a film exhibition in Singapore last year, Fan said the ban on her producing films was "a pity and cruel".

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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