China Cracks Down on Wealth Flaunting on Social Media

China bans display of riches on social media

Popular Chinese influencers who were well-known for showing off their opulent lifestyles have vanished from social media as a result of a government crackdown on ostentatious wealth displays, according to NBC News.

Wang Hongquan, known as “China's Kim Kardashian,” is one such influencer who has been barred from social media for flaunting his opulent lifestyle. With 4.4 million followers on Douyin, China's equivalent of Tik Tok, Hongquan frequently brags of possessing seven opulent houses and never leaving the house without at least $1.4 million worth of jewelry and clothes.

Unverified videos he uploaded featured costly sports cars, multiple Hermès handbags, and servants. Due to a “violation of self-discipline,” his social media accounts on Xiaohongshu and Douyin were deleted, according to a Forbes report. Bo Gongzi (Young Wealthy Lord Bai) and Baoyu Jiajie (Abalone Sister), two other influencers with comparable content, also had their Douyin accounts deleted.

The Chinese Cyberspace Administration began a campaign of intimidation against influencers last month. putting up a “wealth-flaunting” front to draw his supporters. This move is a component of the government's attempts to control the internet and stop undesired social trends, particularly in light of China's current economic crisis.

Livestream hosts are not allowed to showcase or promote luxury products according to a code of conduct for 2022. Concerns regarding materialism's detrimental effects on China's youth are the reason behind the crackdown. With more than a million Douyin followers, Lyla Lai, a former beauty influencer, brought attention to the harmful consequences of showing off one's wealth online. Living in Australia now, Lai backs the crackdown, emphasizing that economic growth is necessary for individuals to experience true fulfillment.

China has always struggled with the issue of opulent lives. CPC members were forewarned against extravagant expenditure in 2007 by former Premier Wen Jiabao. Excessive office complexes and opulent accessories among officials were also targeted by the government. Reportedly, in 2012, a regional official's opulent accessories caused a social media scandal.