Overseasidol.com — On August 13, Chinese actress Zhao Lusi found herself at the center of a heated controversy over allegations of “fake farmer aid”.
Previously, Zhao had earned public praise for promoting several agricultural products during a livestream, assuring viewers that she was neither selling goods nor endorsing specific brands.
Her gesture touched many fans, prompting them to make purchases in support of farmers, which in turn bolstered her reputation as a charitable public figure.
The tide turned when netizens revealed that the dried apple brand she promoted was indirectly linked to her close friend and business partner, Sun Jiayan.
Additionally, the bamboo fungus product she had previously recommended allegedly came from a company owned by an acquaintance.
In response to the allegations, Zhao stated during a livestream: “I didn’t take a single penny. I just recommend; whether you buy or not is up to you,”.
However, this explanation failed to quell public skepticism.
According to Yi Shenghua, founding lawyer at Beijing Yongzhe Law Firm, Zhao’s actions fall under the category of “covert advertising endorsements,” which could violate China’s Internet Advertising Regulations, carrying potential fines of up to 100,000 yuan.
Yi further noted that if her contract with her agency Yinhe Kuyu Media includes specific clauses regarding endorsements, Zhao’s actions could constitute a breach of contract, even if she did not profit directly.
Should the agency suffer losses as a result, she could be liable for damages.
The controversy escalated when a photo surfaced showing that the dried apple producer had allegedly been awarded the title of “Farmer Aid Ambassador”.
Authorities later debunked the document as a forgery. Under Article 63 of China’s Public Security Administration Punishments Law, forging or altering official seals can result in detention of 5-15 days and fines, with severe cases facing criminal charges and up to 10 years in prison.
