Wanda Group files defamation suits against social media accounts on WeChat and Weibo

Dalian Wanda Group said it has taken legal action in China and is considering legal action through US courts in relation to what it says are false reports and “malicious rumors” related to company founder and chairman Wang Jianlin.

“Regarding the malicious rumors that have recently been fabricated and spread with respect to the Chairman of the Dalian Wanda Group, Mr. Wang Jianlin, Wanda has filed lawsuits against the responsible rumormongers on Sept. 5th in Chinese courts holding the proper jurisdiction, and the courts have accepted the lawsuits.”

The defendants include at least 10 social media accounts on WeChat and Weibo.

Wanda said it wants each account to issue “a public apology and provide Wanda with compensation of 5 million yuan”. The company said that it will also press criminal charges against those whose behaviour constituted a defamation by spreading the rumours.

The company cited judicial interpretations from the Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuratorate that defamation involves postings on the internet that have received 5,000 clicks or generated more than 500 reposts.

Wanda also said it is considering filing a lawsuit in US courts against Boxun, an overseas website which covers political news on China, seeking an apology and compensation of US$2 million.