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New Bo Xilai Accusation: Did Chinese Pol Pay Famous Movie Star For Sex?

BOXUN.COM (United States)

Now disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai, at the center of a scandal shaking China's ruling elite, is alleged to have paid large sums of money to have sex with celebrated Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, according to Boxun.com, a U.S.-based Chinese website.

Boxun, which had previously broken news about Bo's demise and been consequently attacked by hackers, has what is claims to be a new, extra-saucy scoop that could add a twist to a political drama that has riveted many in China, and beyond.

Boxun claims today that Zhang – best-known for her role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon the Oscar-winning film by Taiwanese-American director Ang Lee - had more than 10 encounters with Bo between 2007 and 2011.

The 33-year-old actress denied the allegations, quipping on her personal microblog that many people "can take wind as rain" using their imaginations, China Post (Taiwan) reports.

According to the Boxun report, Xu Ming, a Chinese businessman and close friend to Bo, is said to have confessed to Beijing authorities that he'd arranged a deal to pay a total of 16 million RMB ($2.5 million) as "gratuities' for the actress. The article says Zhang Ziyi is currently under police investigation, and is prohibited from leaving the country. There are reports that she was a surprise no-show at the recently concluded Cannes film festival.

Bo Xilai, the former Communist Party boss of China's Chongqing City, was thought to be headed for a key national post before he and his wife were accused of corruption. On April 10, he was suspended from all his Party duties and is now undergoing an investigation for "serious violations of discipline," as China prepares for a momentous change in leadership. Bo's wife is also suspected of involvement in the murder of a British national.

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LGBTQ Plus

My Wife, My Boyfriend — And Grandkids: A Careful Coming Out For China's Gay Seniors

A series of interviews in Wuhan with aging gay men — all currently or formerly married to women — reveals a hidden story of how Chinese LGBTQ culture is gradually emerging from the shadows.

Image of two senior men playing chinese Checkers.

A friendly game of Checkers in Dongcheng, Beijing, China.

Wang Er

WUHAN — " What do you think of that guy sitting there, across from us? He's good looking."

" Then you should go and talk to him."

“ Too bad that I am old..."

Grandpa Shen was born in 1933. He says that for the past 40 years, he's been "repackaged," a Chinese expression for having come out as gay. Before his wife died when he was 50, Grandpa Shen says he was was a "standard" straight Chinese man. After serving in the army, he began working in a factory, and dated many women and evenutually got married.

"Becoming gay is nothing special, I found it very natural." Grandpa Shen says he discovered his homosexuality at the Martyrs' Square in Wuhan, a well-known gay men's gathering place.

✉️ You can receive our LGBTQ+ International roundup every week directly in your inbox. Subscribe here.

Wuhan used to have different such ways for LGBTQ+ to meet: newspaper columns, riversides, public toilets, bridges and baths to name but a few. With urbanization, many of these locations have disappeared. The transformation of Martyrs' Square into a park has gradually become a place frequented by middle-aged and older gay people in Wuhan, where they play cards and chat and make friends. There are also "comrades" (Chinese slang for gay) from outside the city who come to visit.

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