Star turns spotlight on graft in the arts

Peng Dan, actress and political adviser in Gansu province. Photo provided to China Daily

Actress Peng Dan, who was given a seat on the Gansu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has called for a campaign against corruption in the arts and show business.

She submitted a proposal related about the fight against graft this year.

"Corruption has become a grave issue in art circles and showbiz. Combating corruption in the sectors would be a wonderful move," Peng said.

She said showbiz is full of "hidden rules", a euphemism indicating the sex trade and bribery. "Fighting corruption would help to purify the working environment for those who are involved in the culture and arts sectors."

Peng shot to fame in the mid-1990s by starring in a series of erotic Hong Kong productions, known as Category III films under the region's motion picture rating system.

She later shifted her focus, making a string of patriotic films and becoming a member of the CPPCC in Gansu province in 2013.

Peng said she plans to act in and direct a number of TV series and films about the fight against corruption.

"People in the arts and showbiz should be a driving force for combating corruption and spreading positive energy," Peng said.

"When encountering hidden rules, we should bravely say 'no'. Corrupt behavior should be punished harshly."

A number of officials under investigation have been involved in the arts.

Qin Yuhai, deputy head of the Henan provincial legislature, was removed from his post for corruption in September.

He is known as a keen photographer and has had photos exhibited at subway stations in several cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.

Shen Weichen, former Party chief and executive vice-president of the China Association for Science and Technology, who was removed from his post for corruption in April, is known to enjoy the performing arts.

Wang Qishan, head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said earlier that some Party officials give calligraphy works to others as gifts even though they cannot write well.

A report by Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper quoted an inside source as saying that the CCDI has widened its anti-corruption campaign to include show business and the arts.

Some famous calligraphers and musicians have been investigated, the report said.