Chinese, like most people, love rumors and scandals, especially when they involve world famous celebrities and government leaders. So a recent rumor that famous actress Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, Rush Hour 2, etc.) has been prostituting herself for $1.5 million per transaction with Bo Xilai (former politician currently under arrest) has created quite a stir in the not-so-traditional Chinese media (i.e., the Chinese blogosphere).
An animated video humorously depicting the story
Bo Xilai is a former Chinese Communist party (CCP) leader who was recently removed from power and detained (arrested?) in connection with various corruption allegations (as well as his wife's suspected connection to the murder of a British businessman). The rumor has it that Zhang Ziyi was introduced to Bo by a friend of Bo's (who she also allegedly also slept with, but for a mere $1 million in this case).
Zhang has vehemently denied the allegations and in all likelihood, the story is merely rumor since there's apparently no proof. There is also good reason to be suspicious of this rumor since Zhang, although the most internationally known Chinese actress, has proven to be less popular in China and has been the subject of quite a few slanderous rumors. There's also no shortage of Chinese people fed up with corruption by government officials and Bo Xilai therefore makes a very attractive target to vent on (especially since the CCP has arrested him).
While Zhang certainly looks good in this photo, $1.5 million seems a bit pricey to me, but of course I'm in a much different income-level than Bo Xilai and I guess some men are willing to pay just about anything for beauty, fame and their own ego.
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