Thousands of Weibo accounts suspended after online battle between celebrity fan bases
- Fans of Zanilia Zhao Liying tried to break up a potential collaboration after disappointment with the rumoured choice of co-star
- Zhao apologised after the incident, which came amid increased scrutiny on celebrities
An online row between the fan bases of two famous Chinese actors triggered the suspension of thousands of Weibo accounts and forced one celebrity to apologise.
![Zhao [right] shot to fame in 2015 after starring in show “The Journey of Flower”. Photo: Handout](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2021/08/27/81569110-0656-11ec-a83e-ec0670db1017_1320x770_093110.jpg "Zhao [right] shot to fame in 2015 after starring in show “The Journey of Flower”. Photo: Handout")
Authorities are also trying to shore up rabid fan bases that have led to incidents of stalking, leaks of personal information and cyberbullying. The attempt to calm overzealous fans is called the “clear and bright” campaign. This is the first major incident since it began.
Weibo said on Tuesday it had suspended 2,150 accounts, deleted 1,300 abusive comments and permanently banned 140 accounts that were allied with Zhao and another 60 accounts associated with Wang. The account for Zhao’s studio was suspended for 15 days for not intervening quickly enough.
Zhao apologised for the incident on Wednesday, saying: “As a public figure, I have received affection from the public, therefore I have the responsibility to bring positive guidance to the public. I must reflect on the negative impact from this incident. In the meantime, I am calling on my fans to talk on the internet in a civilised, harmonious and rational manner.”