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Zhang Yimou linked to '7 children', sparks debate over one-child policy

The renowned film director fathered three children with actress Chen Ting before they married secretly in 2011. He also had a daughter with his first wife and was further linked to three children from two unidentified women, reports say.

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Director Zhang Yimou. Photo: EPA

One of the mainland’s most prominent film directors could be slapped with a hefty fine for flouting the one-child policy after allegedly fathering seven children over the years with at least three different women.

From 2000 to 2006, Zhang Yimou fathered three children with actress Chen Ting before they married secretly in 2011, the Chongqing Evening News reported on Tuesday. They cited a source “close to the couple”.

Chen, 31, was Zhang’s second wife. He also had a daughter with first wife, Xiao Hua, and was further linked to three children from two unidentified women, the report said.

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The 62-year-old director is behind acclaimed films Red Sorghum, House of Flying Daggers, The Flowers of War and spearheaded the closing ceremony at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Zhang has been romantically linked to mainland actress Gong Li.

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Legal experts told news portal ifeng.com the couple could face fines of up to 160 million yuan (HK$202 million), based on their income.
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