China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 79 Week of 8 December 2025
(1) China’s Tencent quits Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros to avert national security questions Source
Tencent has been dropped as a financing partner from Paramount Skydance’s US$108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery.
(2) Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung accuses former agent of HK$8.8 million fraud
Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung became emotional and cried during her court appearance after being sued by her former manager Yu Yuk-hing and his company AEG Entertainment for alleged breach of contract.
(3) Influencer Joseph Lam sues Airwallex over frozen $1.3m account
Former barrister and influencer Joseph Lam Chok has sued fintech company Airwallex in the District Court, demanding the release of approximately HK$1.3 million from his frozen business account and accusing the firm of breaching their service agreement.
(4) Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki cancels Macau show as Beijing-Tokyo rift continues
“I sincerely apologise to everyone who was looking forward to it,” pop star says, with decision following axing of Shanghai show last month
(5) Clockenflap 2025 marries music, arts and HK flavor as festival ends with a powerful message of unity
Clockenflap 2025, Asia’s premier outdoor music and arts festival, concluded its three-day run on Sunday, wrapping up a weekend of international sounds, bold creative expression and profound shared emotion.
(6) Actor Jet Li rebuts rumours of heart transplant or blood transfusion to maintain youth
Jet Li turned off beauty filters in his latest video on social media, where he refuted rumours that he had gone for a heart transplant or blood transfusion.
(7) Brigitte Lin wages ‘cockroach war’ in her $1.1b mountain mansion
Evergreen screen goddess Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia, long retired to a life of luxury, has revealed she recently endured weeks of sleepless nights battling a full-scale cockroach invasion in her sprawling HK$1.1 billion Hong Kong super-mansion.
(8) Singaporean singer JJ Lin is only non-K-pop act to win Best Artist at Korean award show
The Mandopop singer thought he was at the Asia Artist Awards in Kaohsiung just to perform.
(9) Ken Chu breaks silence on his absence from boy band F4 reunion tour
In a post on his social media pages on Dec 8, the Taiwanese singer-actor gave his thoughts on his apparent exclusion from the upcoming F4 reunion tour.
(10) Taiwan’s ban on mainland China app RedNote makes it a top download amid fierce pushback
Many users and opposition politicians accuse Taiwan’s ruling party of overreach and damaging island’s reputation for open internet access
(11) How Hong Kong heartthrob Moses Chan became one of city’s top TV stars
A star of TV hits such as War and Beauty and Where the Legend Begins, Moses Chan is now also a coffee entrepreneur and dedicated family man.
(12) Ben Wong Finds Success in Skincare Business
After nearly 36 years as a TVB actor, Ben Wong switched to a per-series contract, co-founded a thriving skincare brand with his supportive wife Maggie Loh in just five years, and recently celebrated the brand’s 5th anniversary with industry friends while enjoying a stable life with their three beloved dogs and a Sai Kung home now worth over HK$10 million.
(1) China’s Tencent quits Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros to avert national security questions Source
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Tencent Holdings has withdrawn its $1 billion financing commitment from Paramount Skydance Corp.’s bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, according to a revised filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Chinese tech giant’s participation had raised potential review concerns by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), prompting its exit from the deal.
The filing noted that sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar—providing 24 billion—agreed to relinquish management rights in Warner Bros to avoid additional regulatory scrutiny.
Tencent, labeled by the U.S. Defense Department as having ties to China’s military, operates WeChat and holds stakes in Riot Games and NBA streaming rights. Its exit reflects heightened CFIUS scrutiny under both Biden and Trump administrations regarding foreign investments in U.S. media assets, though Tencent denies allegations and maintains a $700+ billion market presence.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/china-news/article/318968/Chinas-Tencent-quits-Paramounts-bid-for-Warner-Bros-to-avert-national-security-questions
(2) Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung accuses former agent of HK$8.8 million fraud
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung’s long-running legal dispute with her former agency, Asia Entertainment Group (AEG) Limited, and ex-manager Yu Yuk Hing entered a tense new phase as the High Court trial began last week. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, accuses Cheung of breaching a management agreement after allegedly receiving a HK$41.76 million advance to star in four films but failing to fulfill her obligations. The plaintiffs are now seeking HK$12.76 million in damages and lost profits.
On December 8, the 45-year-old star arrived at court early, masked and wearing sunglasses, politely greeting waiting reporters despite appearing visibly strained. Inside the courtroom, she took the witness stand looking fatigued—yawning, briefly closing her eyes, and sipping a can of Coke handed to her by an assistant. As cross-examination began, Cheung repeatedly answered “I don’t remember” to detailed questions about the contracts, often rebutting counsel or veering off-topic, which prompted the judge to intervene and instruct her to respond only with “agree” or “disagree.”
The situation escalated when persistent questioning caused Cheung to break down in tears and shout, “I haven’t slept in two days. This is very unfair to me. The media is putting me under pressure. None of this is true!” The judge briefly halted proceedings to calm her, explaining that repeated questions were necessary for clarity. After composing herself, Cheung confirmed she could continue and maintained that she had never personally handled the contractual arrangements, insisting all matters were managed by her long-time assistant, Emily Chow. The high-profile trial is ongoing.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hk-and-china-showbiz/article/318750/No-sleep-for-two-days-Cecilia-Cheung-tells-court-as-contract-dispute-intensifies https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hk-and-china-showbiz/article/318845/Cecilia-Cheung-denies-box-office-failure-rejects-queen-of-bad-movies-label
(3) Influencer Joseph Lam sues Airwallex over frozen $1.3m account
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Former barrister turned social media influencer Joseph Lam Chok has launched legal action against fintech giant Airwallex in the District Court, demanding the immediate release of roughly HK$1.3 million trapped in his suspended account.
Lam claims the payment platform wrongfully froze his business account late last month and refused to follow his instructions to transfer out the balance, despite the terms of their service agreement allowing him full access to collected funds.
He is seeking repayment of the full HK$1.3 million that was showing as available on November 26, accusing Airwallex of breach of contract.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/china-news/article/318138/
(4) Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki cancels Macau show as Beijing-Tokyo rift continues
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki confirmed on her Instagram account on Tuesday that her Macau concert has been cancelled, expressing that she is “extremely regretful” about the decision. The cancellation follows the abrupt halting of her Shanghai concert due to “unforeseen circumstances” or “force majeure.” Hamasaki promised that ticket holders for the cancelled Shanghai and Macau shows will be given priority access to purchase tickets for her tour planned for 2026.
Hamasaki stated that her Asian tour was originally scheduled to end in Macau on January 10, 2026, but the concert was cancelled after discussions with the organizers. Kyodo News suggested the cancellation may be related to tensions in Sino-Japanese relations following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments in a parliamentary debate regarding Taiwan.
The singer’s large-scale concert in Shanghai was originally scheduled for November 29, but she received an urgent notification to call off the performance on the morning of November 28. Following the Shanghai cancellation, online photos circulated allegedly showing Hamasaki performing the entire show once without an audience; she later confirmed this in an Instagram Story.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/kpop-and-asia-showbiz/article/318908/
(5) Clockenflap 2025 marries music, arts and HK flavor as festival ends with a powerful message of unity
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Clockenflap 2025 concluded its three-day run (5–7 December) at Central Harbourfront as a profound act of communal healing and celebration, with thousands observing a daily minute of silence for victims of the Tai Po fire tragedy. The festival—supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund—delivered a genre-spanning lineup across three stages, from high-energy Asian pop and global indie to experimental electronica, shoegaze, and post-rock, while family-friendly Robot Stage and Carlsberg Silent Disco catered to all ages.
Cultural highlights included the world premiere of Minimax: The Planets, a mobile three-act kinetic performance weaving theatre, circus, music, and dance, and Fashion Asia’s runway exhibition of the “10 Asian Designers to Watch 2025.” TamJai Yunnan Mixian, SamGor Mixian, and TamJai Mixian united as official partner, creating “TamJai Avenue” with Clockenflap-exclusive dishes and “Spiced Mixology” cocktails using Perfume Trees Gin, donating all on-site profits to Tung Wah’s Tai Po fire relief fund.
Clockenflap 2025 was not just a weekend of performances — it was a portrait of a city in motion: mourning together, celebrating together, evolving together. It showcased artists from around the world but felt unmistakably local, bridging Hong Kong’s past and future through culture and community. As the lights faded and crowds dispersed into the cool December night, one thing was clear: the festival remains one of Hong Kong’s strongest cultural signatures — an open-air reminder of who the city is and who it continues to become.
(6) Actor Jet Li rebuts rumours of heart transplant or blood transfusion to maintain youth
(Photo credit: Jet Li/Xiaohongshu)
Action star Jet Li, 62, posted a 2-minute-48-second video on 6 December 2025 titled “Instead of constantly changing this and that, why not change your mindset?” to refute persistent rumours that he underwent heart transplants or blood transfusions to regain his youthful appearance. Turning off beauty filters to reveal natural wrinkles, Li dismissed such procedures as risky and illogical when simpler cosmetic options exist.
Li had previously bared his upper body on 1 November 2025 to show no surgical scars, yet doubters speculated about artificial skin or placenta cover-ups. He questioned the legality and ethics of blood transfusions or stem-cell treatments solely for youth, noting heart transplants carry rejection risks. “If there’s nothing wrong with your heart, why take the risk?” he asked, emphasising that true youth stems from inner peace and happiness, not extended physical decline.
Having battled hyperthyroidism and a benign neck tumour (removed in August 2025), Li used the video to pivot from defending his health to promoting mental resilience: “Even if life extends to 150 or 300 years but your state remains at 70 or 80, isn’t that suffering?” By rejecting vanity-driven extremes and advocating mindset change, dyeing hair, or basic grooming as simpler alternatives, Li reinforces his philosophical image while firmly shutting down speculation in an era of rampant online health rumours.
(7) Brigitte Lin wages ‘cockroach war’ in her $1.1b mountain mansion
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Screen legend Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia, 71, revealed she endured weeks of sleepless nights battling a massive cockroach infestation in her HK$1.1 billion hilltop super-mansion on Fei Ngo Shan. What began with accidentally flicking one roach off her sixth-floor balcony escalated into relentless invasions of her study, leaving the retired star jumping at shadows while writing or painting.
Professional exterminators were called in for multiple intensive treatments; one night the kitchen became a “horror scene” as dying cockroaches poured out in waves, forcing Lin and her helper to sweep them up in the early hours. Even while holidaying in Hangzhou, another roach appeared — calmly released by a friend — prompting Lin to joke that back home any intruder would still face “instant execution.”
The palatial 50,000 sq ft estate — custom-built by husband Michael Ying as a combined 60th birthday and 20th anniversary gift (land purchased 2006, completed 2014) — boasts panoramic Victoria Harbour views, a temperature-controlled pool, private cinema, art studio, dance room, rooftop tennis court, and vegetable garden. Lin’s light-hearted yet vivid “cockroach war” tale humanises the reclusive icon, contrasting her glamorous legacy with the universal indignity of pest control in even the most luxurious of homes.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hk-and-china-showbiz/article/318669/
(8) Singaporean singer JJ Lin is only non-K-pop act to win Best Artist at Korean award show
(Photo Credit: Unusual Entertainment)
Singaporean Mandopop star JJ Lin received a genuine surprise at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) in Kaohsiung on December 6 when he won two unanticipated awards—Best Artist (Singer) and Asia Star (Singer)—despite attending purely as a performing guest, making him the only non-K-pop act among nine winners that night.
Cameras captured Lin’s visibly stunned expression as his name was called, and during his acceptance speech he admitted in Mandarin, “I thought I was only invited to perform and attend the ceremony, didn’t expect to win an award too,” before thanking the crowd in English for their “youthful energy” and expressing gratitude to his loyal fans.
The moment resonated widely as a refreshing example of a seasoned artist being genuinely caught off guard by success, with observers noting how rare and heartwarming it is to see a superstar so authentically surprised and humbled on a major awards stage.
News Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/jj-lin-wins-asia-artist-awards-kaohsiung-taiwan-498096
(9) Ken Chu breaks silence on his absence from boy band F4 reunion tour
(Photo Credit: Instagram/kenchu9)
On December 8, Taiwanese singer-actor Ken Chu, 46, publicly explained his unexpected absence from the highly anticipated F4 reunion tour via social media. The original member of the iconic boy band, which also includes Jerry Yan (48), Vanness Wu (47), and Vic Chou (44), revealed that he only learned of his exclusion through online news reports. Chu stated that he had rejected certain undisclosed demands made by B’in Music, the agency managing the tour, after which the organizers abruptly ceased all communication with him, effectively sidelining him from the project.
Despite the sudden fallout, Chu expressed no bitterness toward his former bandmates, sending his sincere well-wishes to Jerry, Vanness, and Vic for the upcoming shows and voicing hope for a proper F4 reunion in the future. His graceful response has drawn sympathy from many longtime fans of the group, which skyrocketed to fame in 2001 with the smash-hit drama Meteor Garden.
The “F4 2025 Forever Forever World Tour” will proceed as a trio, kicking off with a four-night run at Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena starting December 19. The concerts will feature special guest appearances by Mayday’s Ashin and a performance of the recent collaboration single “Forever Forever” with Jay Chou, a track that has already surpassed 19 million YouTube views since its release.
News Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/ken-chu-breaks-silence-f4-reunion-508851
(10) Taiwan’s ban on mainland China app RedNote makes it a top download amid fierce pushback
(Photo Credit: Reuters)
Taiwan’s interior ministry imposed a one-year nationwide block on the mainland Chinese lifestyle app RedNote (Xiaohongshu) last Thursday, citing its involvement in 1,706 fraud cases that caused losses exceeding NT$247.68 million (US$7.9 million) since 2024, as well as the Shanghai-based operator’s repeated refusal to cooperate with local investigations. Officials also highlighted severe cybersecurity failures, including the app’s unauthorised access to user data and transmission of information to servers in mainland China. Rather than curbing usage, however, the ban triggered a massive backlash and turned RedNote into Taiwan’s most-downloaded app, with VPN services simultaneously surging to the top of utility charts as users scrambled to bypass the restrictions.
The move has ignited fierce criticism across political and social lines, with opposition Kuomintang figures branding it “selective censorship” and warning that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is erecting its own “great firewall.” Influencers, analysts and ordinary users – especially young women who rely on the platform for beauty, fashion and travel content – have mocked the ban as the “best free advertising,” while an online poll of 160,000 respondents showed 85 per cent believing it will do nothing to reduce fraud. Commentators argue the decision risks alienating the DPP’s core younger voter base and could set a dangerous precedent for broader internet controls on the island.
While the government insists the measure is purely about law enforcement and data security – stressing that “there is no special privilege for Chinese apps” – critics point out that platforms such as Facebook and Line generate far higher volumes of scam reports yet face no similar sanctions. With three million active users in Taiwan now resorting to workarounds and voicing frustration at the DPP, many observers predict the controversial ban will ultimately prove politically costly for President William Lai Ching-te’s administration while achieving little in the fight against online fraud.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3335652/taiwans-ban-mainland-china-app-rednote-makes-it-top-download-amid-fierce-pushback
(11) How Hong Kong heartthrob Moses Chan became one of city’s top TV stars
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Moses Chan Ho, 54, rose from modest film roles and runway modelling in the 1990s to become one of Hong Kong’s most beloved television actors after joining TVB in 2000. His breakthrough came with the historical drama Where the Legend Begins (2002), where his portrayal of the ambitious Cao Pi earned him his first acting award and the affectionate nickname “see lai killer” (housewife heartthrob). The pinnacle arrived in 2007 when he swept TVB’s Anniversary Awards with a rare “Double Crown” (Best Actor and My Favourite Male Character) for his nuanced performance as the scheming yet sympathetic Teddy in the blockbuster family saga Heart of Greed, cementing his status as a leading man capable of both period grandeur and modern emotional depth.
Beyond acting, Chan has channelled the discipline honed from long filming hours into a serious passion for coffee. Having fallen in love with Australia’s café culture while studying accounting in Brisbane, he later trained as a certified barista and coffee taster. In 2018, he co-founded Blooms Coffee, a Hong Kong brand dedicated to ethically sourced, high-quality beans and meticulous roasting and brewing techniques, marking his successful transition from small-screen star to hands-on entrepreneur.
Despite a career filled with accolades and lucrative endorsements, Chan insists family remains his true anchor. Married to actress Aimee Chan since 2013, he is a devoted father to their three young children, whom he had later than planned but cherishes deeply. “A home is happier with children,” he says, adding that fatherhood in his forties has brought pure joy alongside the occasional struggle to match their energy. For the actor once known for palace intrigue and corporate battles on screen, real life now revolves around swimming, cycling, and building a grounded legacy far from the spotlight.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3335044/how-housewives-heartthrob-moses-chan-became-one-hong-kongs-top-tv-stars
(12) Ben Wong Finds Success in Skincare Business
(Photo Credit: Jayne Stars)
Veteran Hong Kong actor Ben Wong, a familiar face at TVB for nearly 36 years, has recently shifted from a long-term management contract to a more flexible per-series contract, granting him greater career freedom. Together with his wife Maggie Loh, he channeled this newfound autonomy into entrepreneurship, successfully launching a skincare brand that has flourished over the past five years. To mark the brand’s fifth anniversary and celebrate their hard-earned success, the couple hosted an intimate dinner attended by close industry friends, including Timothy Cheng and his wife Lau Sin Yi, Raymond Cho, Eileen Yeow, and Kevin Cheng.
The couple’s journey is a testament to resilience and mutual support. Ben and Maggie first met while working together at a restaurant during a difficult financial period in their lives. After dating for 14 years, they married, and throughout the ups and downs of Ben’s acting career, Maggie remained his steadfast pillar—never pressuring him during low points and instead encouraging him to explore new paths. Lau Sin Yi poignantly summed up their partnership in a social media post: “When husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break gold,” praising the remarkable results the couple achieved with their business in just half a decade.
Having overcome earlier hardships, Ben and Maggie now enjoy a comfortable life, including ownership of a Sai Kung home purchased for HK$8.95 million (now valued at over HK$10 million). The couple made a mutual decision not to have children, instead pouring their love into their three dogs, whom they treat as family. Their story—from struggling restaurant coworkers to celebrated entrepreneur-actor power couple—has earned admiration from peers and fans alike for both their professional accomplishments and enduring partnership.
News Source: https://www.jaynestars.com/news/ben-wong-finds-success-in-skincare-business/
