660 Companies Linked To Stars Like Liu Shishi & Huang Xiaoming Have Been Mysteriously Deregistered In China Since The Start Of The Year

There’s been a lot going on in the Chinese entertainment scene recently. Apart from Operation Qinglang, which is cracking down on unhealthy online behaviour by stars and their fans, artistes deemed unworthy to be on screen because of ethical reasons have also been blacklisted by China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).

So when Ruby Lin’s work studio suddenly deregistered its business license in China two weeks ago, many people assumed the actress is in trouble with the authorities. And they could be on to something.

A recent report on these celeb-owned firms by investigative company Tianyancha suggests that something bigger is brewing.

According to Tianyancha, a total of 660 companies that are related to celebrities have been deregistered as of August 31, among which 40 are directly linked to stars.

Apart from Ruby’s work studio, companies related to Huang Xiaoming, Gong Jun, Deng Chao, Tiffany Tang, Jing Boran, Liu Shishi and Li Xian have also been forced to close.

A check by Chinese netizens show that the companies mentioned by Tianyancha have mysteriously disappeared, and those that were previously listed on the stock exchange have also ceased trading.

It's said that SARFT is involved with the closures. The government body recently held a symposium in Beijing where they reiterated that all artistes must “bear good values, be virtuous and be patriotic”.

Now, a legal expert in Beijing has commented that the 660 companies that were forced to close could have been involved with tax evasion.

According to the expert, tax evasion can be further broken down to unintended underpaying of taxes and deliberate tax evasion. For the former, firms can usually get off the hook by paying the balance and a small fine, but for the latter, they will likely be blacklisted and dealt with to the full extent of the law.

Photos: PBE Media