1123: Difference between revisions

In November of 2021, the China Association of Performing Arts ([[CAPA]]) released a disciplinary notice of 88 immoral entertainers. The list caught the attention of [[Li Xuezheng]] (LXZ), a prominent film producer, who called into question CAPA’s authority to create such a list. This began several weeks of LXZ questioning CAPA on Weibo. Additional support of ZZH and the call to question CAPA's procedures came from legal scholars, netizens, and others in the field.

Throughout December, LXZ and others kept Zhang Zhehan and CAPA in the spotlight using Weibo posts, hashtag campaigns, interviews and livestreams. It was during this time that facts debunking the smear campaign allegations (see [[813]] entry) resurfaced or came back into the spotlight. Movement was made on his appeal and his criminal case. By the end of the month, LXZ indicated he was able to interview ZZH and discussed the possibility of releasing the audio tapes.

== 1123's List of Immoral Artists ==

On November 23, 2021, CAPA released a disciplinary notice of immoral entertainers as a follow-up to its list on 813, once again naming Zhang Zhehan. The vast majority (82) were live streamers, and the remaining three were Zheng Shuang, Wu Yifan (Kris Wu), and ZZH

== Subsequent Call for Procedural Justice ==

=== Question CAPA - Legitimacy of the Organization and the Ban ===

* CAPA's list contradicted information from government agencies

* CAPA was acting outside their authority

* CAPA was not following their own procedures (the rules governing the behavior of performing artists came into effect on March 1st, 2021, and were not retroactive. ZZH’s photos were taken in 2018).  

* He posted screen shots of Renmin Web and China Court Network articles recommending Yasukuni Shrine as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

LXZ repeatedly stated that, guilty or innocent, Zhang Zhehan should be afforded the rights of procedural justice. He related that ZZH’s mother and many of his relatives are party members and the party must protect the rights of ordinary members to defend themselves against accusations.

=== Legal Support ===

At the outset, LXZ made it clear that he had no connection to ZZH. After he became “aware of the existence of some arrogant power,” involved in ZZH's cancellation, he offered his own legal team to help ZZH with litigating his case. LXZ indicates several law firms have reached out to him volunteering their services.

In addition, the Hongfan Legal Institute attempted to hold a livestream during December related to CAPA and ZZH's removal from the industry. The topics included the severity and impact of CAPA's blacklist, and regulating the entertainment industry. HLI spoke to the unjustness of what was happening to Zhang Zhehan in particular and spoke to the anti-trust nature of CAPA’s actions in general. Weibo muted their account and removed the presentation from the platform Bilibili shut down the livestream, as did Weibo (multiple times). Still, it was watched by several million people. Not surprisingly, the hashtag #Hongfan Institute Weibo account muted# topic was deleted by Weibo, and this itself was remarked upon.  

=== Support from Netizens ===

=== Hashtag Campaigns ===

== Continued Proliferation of Bad Actors ==

=== Media ===

=== Commercial ===

Netizens posted video showing that Huawei phones prohibited users from setting ZZH and variations of his name as their phone name. Weibo deleted the posts. Netizens also called out Oppo and other China-made phones, QQ Music, WeChat and other social media, and Bilibili and other platforms for removing ZZH.

=== Yasukuni Rumor-Monger ===

Netizens reveal recorded conversation between the Bilibili uploader who spread rumors about ZZH, who had recently immigrated to Japan, and admitted to photoshopping one of the main photos being spread. He had done this all just as “clickbait," stating “I’m living in Japan anyway, the more chaos in China the better”. In his social media comments, he also mocked patriotic fans who followed his orders.

=== Smears Against LXZ ===

== Appeal and Criminal Complaint ==

=== Appeal to CAPA ===

During this time, CAPA tried to wash its hands of guilt, clarifying that the disciplinary list was not mandatory. It was evident, however, that the major platforms acted in lockstep with what CAPA "recommended." CAPA stated that ZZH could appeal in person in their offices within 10 days. Because of COVID restrictions, this was extremely difficult, but a representative of ZZH traveled to their offices to file the paperwork. Upon arrival, the staff at the CAPA office seemed unaware of how to handle the appeal and provided little more than a time-stamped receipt and a number to call. The results of this appeal, if any, are unknown. Afterwards, LXZ reposted notices from NRTA and MCT denying any involvement in defining Zhang Zhehan as immoral or for calling for his removal of his works and social media accounts, thus underscoring that CAPA was not acting at the behest of the state.

=== Beijing Police Accept Case ===

On December 24, 2021, LXZ posts photo of the Beijing Chaoyang police department’s acceptance of ZZH’s defamation case. He further explained that ZZH had previously tried to file case at other police departments, but his case was not accepted because of the extreme environment of cyber violence and public opinion. LXZ felt ZZH had lost all legal rights of a normal citizen. He went on to state that [translated] “recently, after analysis by legal experts, encouragement by experts in the political and legal system, and rational public discussion, we know that this type of malicious slander has caused serious personal injury to individual citizens and constitutes the basis of a criminal case. State forces should and have intervened and he was encouraged to report to the Beijing police. This afternoon, the Chaoyang Branch of the Beijing Police finally officially accepted ZZH's report, the Beijing police should be commended! ! ! ! We expect this to be the beginning of criminal investigations, and civil litigation will also begin.”

Unrelated this news, but on the same day, Netizens discovered that ZZH’s name was no longer being banned by Taobao, WeChat, Xiaohongshu, QQ Music, NetEase Cloud, Douyin, and other platforms. Netizens show that Huawei phones still ban ZZH’s name and customer service’s attitude is unyielding. In some cases, these bans were later reinstituted.

=== Prelude to the Interview ===

LXZ later informed netizens that Zhang Zhehan was interviewed in the presence of state, media, and legal representatives. In a December 31, 2022, livestream he indicated he originally wanted to play a recording with ZZH but was worried that it would affect the ongoing process. The interview was published the following day (see [[ZZH audio interview with LXZ|Interview]] here).