China hits top influencer with $210 million fine over taxes

One of China's top livestreamers, active on Weibo, was fined RM884.52mil for tax evasion, as the government cracks down on online influencers. — REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration

China slapped an unprecedented US$210mil (RM884.52mil) fine on a top livestreamer for tax evasion, stepping up President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on online influencers who have grown wildly popular in recent years.

Huang Wei – also known as Viya – was ordered to pay 1.34bil yuan (RM890mil) in back taxes, late fees and fines, the State Taxation Administration said Monday in a statement on its website. She avoided taxes totalling 643mil yuan (RM424.85mil) by concealing personal income and making false declarations in 2019 and 2020, the statement added.