On December 13th, mainland Chinese actress Fan Bingbing was invited to attend a Christmas party hosted by Hong Kong tycoon Zhao Shizeng at Zhao Manor. She appeared in a traditional Chinese outfit adorned with diamond jewelry, posed for photos with the host Zhao Shizeng, and toured the grand mansion. When asked about whether she owns property in Hong Kong, she denied it and bluntly stated that “Hong Kong property prices are too expensive.”
Fan Bingbing, who has not filmed in China for six years due to a tax evasion scandal, has been making frequent appearances in Hong Kong this year. On the 13th, Hong Kong tycoon Zhao Shizeng and his children held a Christmas party at Zhao Manor, located in the upscale neighborhood on the Peak in Hong Kong. Fan Bingbing, who rents a super luxurious mansion on Barker Road on the Peak, was invited to co-host the Christmas tree lighting ceremony with Zhao Shizeng and spontaneously danced together.
Fan Bingbing mentioned that although dancing was not part of the event’s agenda, she enjoyed gathering with so many good friends during the festive season, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
According to reports from Hong Kong media outlet “Oriental Daily,” Fan Bingbing has obtained the status of a “new Hong Kong resident” and is renting a super deluxe mansion on Barker Road on the Peak for around 650,000 Hong Kong dollars per month. The mansion has a practical area of over 5,000 square feet, featuring 5 bedrooms, 4 suites, a garden of nearly 1,000 square feet, and a platform of over 1,000 square feet with a 180-degree panoramic view of Victoria Harbor. Records indicate that the mansion Fan Bingbing leased was originally purchased for about 500 million Hong Kong dollars. It is located in a traditional luxury residential area in Hong Kong known for its high level of privacy, preferred by affluent businessmen.
The report mentioned that Fan Bingbing had planned as far back as 10 years ago to obtain Hong Kong residency through investment immigration and only recently formalized her status as a “new Hong Kong resident.” Sources claimed that before acquiring Hong Kong residency, Fan Bingbing had been eyeing properties in Hong Kong. Although there were rumors in the past that she had purchased properties in Hong Kong, in reality, she had not entered the market. “She is indeed very lucky. If she had entered the market a few years earlier, she would have suffered great losses now,” as the Hong Kong property market has been declining in recent years, leading many to opt for renting instead of buying as a prudent choice.
At the party, Fan Bingbing praised Zhao Manor as a legendary grand mansion with an unbeatable sea view, luxurious decorations, and an overall beautiful ambiance.
When asked if she owned property in Hong Kong, Fan Bingbing responded with a firm “no” and straightforwardly stated that “Hong Kong property prices are too expensive.” However, she mentioned that during this event, she would take the opportunity to observe and show interest in design and architecture. She also noted that the place she currently resides in is decorated according to her preferences in colors and furniture.
Due to the tax evasion controversy stemming from a “yin-yang contract” scandal in 2018, Fan Bingbing’s entertainment career took a nosedive. The official announcement from the Chinese authorities at that time stated that Fan Bingbing needed to pay over 880 million yuan in taxes, fines, and penalties within a specified period to avoid criminal liability.
Despite facing a ban in China, Fan Bingbing continues to thrive overseas. Regarding her upcoming work plans, Fan Bingbing disclosed that she traveled to Australia in March to film Hollywood movie “The Ice Road 2” with Liam Neeson, an Academy Award-winning Hollywood star. She also shot the film “Mother Earth” directed by Zhang Jia in Malaysia and will fly to Japan early next year to film a new movie.