Xi's Purge of Zhaowei: Divorce Confirmed, $140M Debt Evaded, More Dark Secrets Exposed

On December 28, 2024, Zhao Wei shocked her fans with a surprising announcement on Weibo. She revealed that she and her ex-husband, Huang Yulong, had actually divorced back in 2020. Their marriage legally ended years ago, and Zhao Wei made it clear, anything involving Huang Yulong no longer has anything to do with her. She also asked the public to respect the truth and stop dragging her into baseless rumors. Once a superstar admired across China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Zhao Wei disappeared from the spotlight after being blacklisted by authorities in August 2021. Since then, she's stayed quiet. Until now. So, why speak up about an old divorce rumor after all this time? Is there more going on behind the scenes? Some say she was once close to powerful elites and even dabbled in manipulating financial markets. But who were these elites? And did those connections cost her everything? Stick around. We're diving deep into the untold story behind Zhao Wei's sudden comeback. Zhao Wei, born on March 12, 1976, in Wuhu City, Anhui Province, comes from a distinguished family with deep historical roots. Technically, she can be considered a descendant of a revolutionary lineage. Her grandfather, Zhao Zhenting, When Wuhe became a key base for the New Fourth Army during the Resistance War, he joined the army. Unfortunately, he lost his life during the Huanan Massacre and was posthumously honored as a martyr by the communist government. In 1949, Zhao Wei's grandmother was assigned to work at the Wuhu City water supply station near Wuhe County. Her father, Zhao Jiahai, leveraged his status as the descendant of a martyr to rise steadily in his career, eventually becoming an engineer and serving as the general manager of the Wuhu Science and Technology Development Company. Zhao Wei's mother, Wei Qiying, hailed from the renowned Wei family in Wuhu. During the Republic of China era, her family owned the prosperous Huaxiang Soap Company. Although their wealth diminished after 1949, they remained a respected and well-regarded family. Her uncle, Wei Qiming, was a prominent figure as the head of the Shanghai Renyi Theater Troupe. Thanks to her family's reputation and resources, Zhao Wei grew up in a well-off, upper-middle-class environment. In 1996, she was admitted to the prestigious acting program at the Beijing Film Academy. During her studies, she was discovered by acclaimed writer-producer Qian Yao, who offered her the lead role in the hit TV series My Fair Princess, Wanzhou Geiji. The show's massive success catapulted Zhao Wei to A-list stardom overnight. Following her breakthrough, Zhao Wei ventured into film, television, and music, quickly becoming a household name and earning countless awards. Her iconic portrayal of Xiao Yanzi was beloved across China, Taiwan, and beyond. Additionally, she gained international recognition, serving as a juror at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival and, alongside Zhang Zi, representing China's top-tier talent on the world stage. A Marriage Full of Calculations Since ancient times, fame and fortune have always gone hand-in-hand. As a superstar, Zhao Wei quickly became the target of pursuit by the wealthy elite. Before marrying Huang Yulong, Zhao Wei had been involved in several high-profile relationships, all with wealthy or powerful men. Such as Yimao Teng and Wang Yu. Ironically, despite dating prominent heirs, Zhao Wei was often betrayed in those relationships. Many goddesses we admire on screen, radiant and seemingly untouchable, are viewed by the elite as little more than prized collectibles, glamorous decorations rather than true love. Disillusioned by wealthy playboys, Zhao Wei ultimately chose to settle down with someone who appeared simple yet wealthy, Huang Yulong. Huang Yulong spared no effort in winning Zhao Wei's heart, gifting her dozens of Hermes bags worth hundreds of thousands of yuan each, approximately $15,000 to $30,000 per bag, and a diamond-studded watch valued at 24 million yuan, around $3.3 million USD. Despite these grand gestures, Zhao Wei didn't seem to hold much regard for the marriage. Even after giving birth to their daughter, she rarely interacted with her in-laws and reportedly never set foot in the Huang family home. When Huang Yulong's father passed away in October 2023, neither Zhao Wei nor Huang Yulong returned for the funeral. Zhao Wei even publicly stated, I don't place too many expectations on marriage. Our relationship feels more like a partnership than a traditional husband-wife bond. Their marriage appeared more like an exchange. Zhao Wei gained financial security, while Huang Yulong earned prestige and public recognition. Officially, Huang Yulong is said to have been born in Wuhan, but this was later revealed to be a fabricated story to mask his humble beginnings. According to an investigation by Xinjing Bao, Huang Yulong was actually born in 1976 in Longtang Village, Xiaodong County, Xiaoyang City, Hunan Province, an area historically known for its extreme poverty. Coming from generations of farmers, Huang's family faced significant financial hardship. As a child, he even helped his father by herding ducks with his older brother. In 1995, at just 19 years old and with only a middle school education, Huang decided not to pursue further studies. Instead, he followed fellow villagers to find work. He worked odd jobs across Jiangxi and Guangdong, including stints in brick factories and cement trading. In 2000, at the age of 24, he moved to Shenzhen and took a job at the 21st Century Performing Arts Center, a high-end nightclub operated by Shenzhen Aviation Arts Company. This nightclub, frequented by the elite and top officials, became a turning point in Huang's life. During his time there, he received backing from a fellow villager, Su Zongheng, who was then the mayor of Shenzhen. This support changed his fate entirely. By 2003, Huang Youlong founded the Golden Leaf Hot Springs Resort in Zhengcheng, with an initial investment of 200 million yuan, around 27 million USD, marking his official entry into the world of hidden tycoons. Over time, he established at least 27 companies in Hong Kong under his name. In China's opaque business environment, very few rise from rags to riches entirely on their own. Many, like Huang, succeed by acting as extensions of political power. Huang Youlong, who had been working at a nightclub just a year earlier, suddenly transformed into a financial giant. Could such rapid success happen by sheer luck? Absolutely not. There were even rumors that Huang once worked as Su Zongheng's personal driver. Although Huang repeatedly denied these claims, Renmin Daily's affiliated news outlet, Xiakedao, once reported on this connection. In January 2017, following Huang and Zhaowei's failed attempt to acquire Wanjia Culture, which led to penalties from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Dongxianline, a magazine under China Business News, conducted a field investigation in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Later that year, they published two critical reports. The map of Huang Youlong and Zhaowei's business ventures in Hong Kong, and the secret ties between Huang Youlong, Zhaowei, and the international casino industry. These articles exposed Huang's rapid rise to wealth. According to the reports, two key factors contributed to Huang's fortune. First, during the 1998 World Cup, football betting became widespread, and it's highly likely that Huang played a role in running betting operations, earning his first substantial sum. This theory is plausible given that many of his later business ventures were tied to the gambling industry. Huang gradually collaborated with influential figures in both legal and illegal circles, becoming involved in casino operations in Macau, Malaysia, Jeju Island, South Korea, the Philippines, and even Saipan. It's widely known that the casino business is highly risky, and entry into the industry requires more than just money. It demands strong political and underworld connections. Without powerful backing in both political and commercial circles, obtaining legal casino licenses would be nothing more than a pipe dream. Huang's meteoric rise wasn't solely due to Xu Zongheng's support. He also relied on Xu's superior, Huang Liman, then deputy secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee. Huang Liman, a trusted ally of Jiang Zemin, was one of the few high-ranking female officials in Jiang's faction. When Jiang became general secretary in 1989, Huang's political career took off. She was considered Jiang's representative in Guangdong and was nicknamed the Queen of Shenzhen due to her long tenure leading the city. Xu Zongheng was one of her proteges. Thanks to his connection with Huang Liman, Huang Yulong rapidly climbed the ranks. This highlights the dangerous reality of being a political extension in China, where wealth is often built on unconventional means. Huang's story isn't unique. There are undoubtedly many more like him in China's complex web of political and economic power, the extended arm of powerful forces. In 2008, shortly after marrying Zhao Wei, Huang Yulong founded Tibet Longway Media, a company that appeared legitimate on paper but secretly controlled dozens of registered firms in Hong Kong, Mongolia, and tax havens like the Virgin Islands. Together, they formed a powerful conglomerate named Longway Group. Upon its establishment, Longway Group made waves in the financial market with a series of something-from-nothing deals. At the peak of their success, Zhao Wei and Huang Yulong amassed a combined fortune of up to $1 billion USD, with Zhao Wei earning the title of the female Warren Buffett. But was it her exceptional talent or sheer luck that led to such rapid success? The truth is, by this point, Zhao Wei's success wasn't just supported by her past political connections. Two financial giants stood behind her— Aligroup and Tomorrow Holdings, Ming Tian Xi. Aligroup, of course, refers to the financial empire of Jack Ma, while Tomorrow Holdings was once a dominant force in China's capital market. Although Xiao Jianhua was the public face of Tomorrow Holdings, the real power behind it was the family of Zheng Qinghong, a major figure in Zhang Zemin's faction known as the Iron Prince. On January 31, 2017, the Financial Times published an investigative article titled Xiao Jianhua, From Student Leader to Billionaire Abductee, exposing his ties with the Zheng family. Similarly, on February 17, 2017, the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong released relative reports detailing these connections. Xiao Jianhua was known as a prodigy, entering Peking University's law school at just 14 years old. After graduating, he became acquainted with Zheng Wei, Zheng Qinghong's son, and soon became an extended arm of the Zheng family. In 1993, at only 21, Xiao founded Beta Tomorrow Resources and Technology in Beijing, marking the beginning of Tomorrow Holdings' rapid rise. Xiao Jianhua didn't just serve the Zheng family. He also became the financial arm of other powerful families in Zhang Zemin's faction, such as those of Liu Yunshan and Jia Qinglin. He even reportedly helped manage overseas assets for Xi Jinping's sister, Qi Qiaoqiao, and her husband, Deng Jiaqi. Thanks to these elite red connections, within just over a decade, Tomorrow Holdings not only controlled dozens of listed companies, but also became the only private entity in China with a full range of financial licenses. At its peak, the total value of financial assets under its management reached 3 trillion yuan, around 450 billion USD. On a global scale, no billionaire could compare. At that time, not even Elon Musk was in the same league. During its peak, Xiao Jianhua and Jack Ma maintained a close relationship. In July 2024, The New York Times published another revealing article titled Uncovering the Secret Partnership Between Jack Ma and Xiao Jianhua of Tomorrow Holdings. The article claimed that at least $1 billion U.S. worth of equity transactions took place between Jack Ma and Xiao Jianhua. Over five years, Tomorrow Holdings earned massive profits from various Alibaba subsidiaries. Aligroup and Tomorrow Holdings essentially became strategic allies in the financial market. One was China's leading private enterprise, while the other acted as the Together, they were an unbeatable force. Through investments in Alibaba, Xiao Jianhua generated enormous returns for the powerful red families behind him, while Jack Ma benefited from the political backing and protection provided by those elite connections. However, this partnership between Xiao Jianhua and Jack Ma couldn't be made public for two key reasons. First, keeping it secret ensured smooth underground transactions. Second, public exposure would invite scrutiny from regulators and potentially lead to investigations. Therefore, they needed a third party to act as an intermediary. That third party was none other than High-level power struggle. Zhaowei loses everything. With two financial giants backing them, Zhaowei and Huang Yulong's fortunes soared like a kite in the wind. However, just when they were at the peak of their fame and wealth, an unexpected storm struck. In January 2017, the couple caused a sensation by spending 3.06 billion yuan, around 450 million USDs, to acquire the publicly listed company Wangjia Culture. But soon after, they were found guilty of financial fraud, fined and banned from participating in the stock market for five years. The failure of this deal was directly linked to the investigation of Xiao Jianhua, the billionaire behind Tomorrow Holdings. Despite rubbing shoulders with many wealthy and powerful figures, celebrities like Zhaowei are ultimately expendable pawns in high-level power struggles. The fate of Xiao Jianhua sealed hers as well. In 2017, China was at the height of President Xi Jinping and Wang Qishan's anti-corruption campaign, which sought to consolidate power. One of their primary targets was Zheng Qinghong, known as the Iron Prince and a major figure in Jiang Zemin's faction. The best way to weaken Zheng's influence was to take down his extended arms, with Xiao Jianhua and Tomorrow Holdings at the top of the list. On January 27, 2017, after receiving a tip-off, Xiao fled to the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong to avoid arrest. However, mainland plainclothes agents captured him at the hotel and escorted him back to China, where he vanished from public view. Shortly afterward, the financial empire of Tomorrow Holdings collapsed under intense scrutiny. Xiao Jianhua's assets, valued at 55 billion yuan, around $8 billion, were seized, and he was eventually sentenced to 13 years in prison. Following his downfall, other prominent figures in Jiang's faction fell silent. For Zhaowei, these high-level political battles were far beyond her understanding. Ultimately, she was just an extended arm of another extended arm. She found herself caught in a crisis without knowing what had hit her. At the time, President Xi's campaign was still in the shaking-the-tree-to-scare-the-monkeys phase, meaning Zhaowei, a minor figure in this power game, managed to escape serious consequences. The real danger had not yet arrived. However, in October 2020, ahead of Ant Group's much-anticipated IPO, Jack Ma made headlines with a bold and controversial speech. He openly criticized Chinese regulators for having a pawnshop mentality, arguing that outdated methods couldn't be used to regulate future innovations. His remarks reportedly angered President Xi Jinping. Soon after, Jack Ma was summoned by regulators, and Ant Group's IPO was abruptly halted. According to the Wall Street Journal, Xi Jinping personally ordered the suspension of the IPO. Following this, Alibaba was hit with a record fine of 18.2 billion yuan, around 2.8 billion USD, for monopolistic practices. Jack Ma was further implicated in a corruption case involving Zhou Jiangyong, the party secretary of Hangzhou, and was forced to step down and disappear from public view for an extended period. Given Zhaowei's close ties with Jack Ma, she could no longer take pride in their friendship. Historically, when the Chinese Communist Party targets someone, they often start by going after close associates. Jack Ma, as a leading figure of China's capitalist class with ties to various powerful families, posed a complex challenge to the authorities. Taking him down outright could destabilize the economy. Instead, a tactic was employed, sparing the main figure while targeting his associates. Using a high-profile yet relatively powerless figure like Zhaowei to shake the tree was a strategic move. On August 27, 2021, China's cyberspace administration abruptly issued a directive calling for stricter regulation of idol culture and harsh punishment of celebrities with stains on their record. A day earlier, on August 26, without any prior warning or explanation, all of Zhaowei's film and television works were removed from major Chinese streaming platforms. Her name was erased from credits, her fan club on Weibo was locked, and she was barred from posting on Baidu Tiba. Platforms like iQiyi and Baidu blocked all search results related to her. Prominent domestic celebrities also scrambled to delete posts mentioning Zhaowei from their social media accounts. The unprecedented crackdown on a female celebrity left the public in shock. While Zhaowei had narrowly escaped the Tomorrow Holdings purge, she ultimately fell victim during the crackdown on Olly Group. Still, compared to the heavy blows dealt to Xiao Jianhua, who was imprisoned, and Jack Ma, who was silenced, Zhaowei got off relatively lightly. After being blacklisted, Zhaowei quickly divorced Huang Yulong and severed all ties with him, erasing all photos of him from her social media. She fled to France and went into hiding at Dream Dragon Estate, a vineyard Huang had purchased for her in 2011 for 4 million euros, around 4.5 million dollars USDs. This 7-hectare estate, once owned by King Louis XIV, is considered one of the most luxurious vineyards in France. Since then, Zhaowei has lived a secluded life, rarely appearing in public. Huang Yulong's situation turned even worse. On December 23, 2024, Hong Kong media reported that a company had filed a lawsuit against him in the Hong Kong High Court, demanding repayment of a debt totaling 7.53 million HKD, around 960,000 USDs, plus interest. This wasn't the first time Huang faced legal trouble. Since 2021, he had been repeatedly sued by creditors in mainland China and Hong Kong, with his total debt exceeding 1 billion yuan, around 140 million dollar USDs. Real or fake divorce? The question of whether Zhaowei and Huang Yulong are truly divorced remains a mystery. On December 30, 2022, in Huang Yulong's last report to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, he still declared holding 67.5% of Shunlong Holdings and listed Zhaowei as his spouse when reporting joint interests. Even in Shunlong Holdings, mid-2024 interim report, Zhaowei continued to be identified as Huang Yulong's wife. The most widely believed theory is that their divorce was merely a strategic move. A technical divorce designed to avoid debt. By legally separating, the couple could split their assets and liabilities. One spouse would take on all the debt, while the other would receive the assets, remaining legally free from any financial obligations. As a result, creditors would have no means to claim their debts. And the spouse burdened with the debt could simply declare bankruptcy, effectively erasing the debt. The creditors would be left with no recourse. This type of strategic divorce is not unheard of. A notable example is Hui Kaiyan, former billionaire and chairman of Evergrande Group. Facing massive debts in 2023, Evergrande suddenly announced that Ding Yume, Hui's wife, was an independent individual with no legal ties to him, essentially confirming their prior divorce. This maneuver ensured that any assets transferred to Ding Yume were shielded from creditors. Even if Hui Kaiyan were to face prison, at least some assets would remain secure for their children. Given the precedent of similar cases, it's highly likely that Zhaowei and Huang Yulong employed the same strategy to evade debt. This theory offers the most plausible explanation for their divorce. That said, whether their divorce is real or fake no longer matters much, because either way, their once glorious reputations have faded. At the height of her fame, Zhaowei was a shining star, showered with honors, privileges, and favors from the authorities. She was even selected by Xi Jinping to represent China's soft power and introduced at a state banquet to then-president of South Korea, Park Geun-hye. Yet in the blink of an eye, she was reduced to a powerless figure, crushed by circumstances, with no chance to tell her side of the story. Interestingly, news about Zhaowei's divorce wasn't censored or blocked, suggesting that the Chinese government has somewhat eased its control over her. However, as long as the power struggles behind the scenes continue, it's unlikely that Zhaowei and her former husband will be able to fully withdraw from this turbulent saga. What do you think about today's topic? Leave a comment below. Thank you for watching, and we'll see you in the next episode.