Actress Zheng Shuang hit with RM194mil tax fine as China targets celebrity culture

Zheng Shuang, 30, became a household name in China after starring in the hit 2009 remake of Taiwanese drama 'Meteor Shower', and a string of successful series and movies afterwards. Photo: AFP

Top Chinese actress Zheng Shuang was hit with a US$46mil tax evasion fine Friday (Aug 27) while references to film star Zhao Wei were wiped from video streaming sites as Beijing steps up its campaign against celebrity culture.

Beijing is on a mission to rein in what it calls "chaotic fan culture" and celebrity excess, after a spate of scandals in recent months that have taken down China's biggest entertainers including singer Kris Wu, who was arrested on suspicion of rape earlier this month.