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Crime in China
China

Chinese star Li Yifeng detained, accused of soliciting prostitutes

  • Police in Beijing say a 35-year-old actor is under administrative detention and confessed to multiple visits to prostitutes
  • Italian luxury firm Prada among companies to end partnership with Li

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Chinese actor Li Yifeng has been detained in Beijing. Photo: Weibo
Holly Chik
Chinese actor Li Yifeng, who played Mao Zedong in last year’s blockbuster The Pioneer, has been detained by Beijing police, accused of soliciting prostitutes, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday.

In a social media statement, Beijing police said a 35-year-old male actor surnamed Li had been detained recently.

“The person confessed to visiting prostitutes multiple times and has been placed under administrative detention,” the statement said.

While the police statement did not identify Li by his full name, CCTV confirmed the actor had been taken into custody. No details were given.

Italian luxury brand Prada said on Sunday evening that it had ended all partnerships with Li, who was announced its official ambassador in 2021 and is also known as Evan Li.

Other brands including toothpaste company Sensodyne and traditional Chinese medicine firm King To Nin Jiom also said they were terminating their partnerships with Li.

Soliciting prostitution is illegal under Chinese law and typically leads to administrative detention of between 10 and 15 days. It could be reduced to five days or fewer if the offence is minor.

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