The cinematographer is looking at a $1.3 million (€944,994) fine

Dec 30, 2013 10:48 GMT  ·  By
Chinese film director Zhang Yimou will be fined for breaking the one-child limit
   Chinese film director Zhang Yimou will be fined for breaking the one-child limit

One of China's most popular and successful directors will be fined for breaking China's one child policy. Zhang Yimou and his wife will be getting a fine for violating the famous Chinese policy that prohibits any couple from having more than one child.

China is notoriously overpopulated and its government has been trying to bring the curve down by instating a one-child-per-couple policy in the late ‘70s. Since then, the country has been facing an aging population and experts think that there will be a shortage of workers in the coming years. This is why some exceptions from the policy are expected.

After rumors began spreading over the summer, Zhang has admitted to having three children with his current wife, but there is still talk that he may have fathered over seven children over the years. The director apologized for his actions and said that he was ready to accept any punishment.

Zhang and his wife, actress Chen Ting, have two sons and a daughter that were born between 2001 and 2006. The couple only got married in 2011.

State officials that looked into the matter decided that Zhang is guilty and he will have to pay a fine. Based on the director's income, the fine has been calculated at around $1.3 million (€944,994) which many consider to be nothing more than an expensive slap on the wrist.

This is not the first case a celebrity or state official has been caught breaking the one-child limit. In later years, the public has spoken out against this state policy that seems to not include famous people. Usually, violating this policy leads to hefty fines, but also forced abortions and even sterilization in some cases. For people such as Zhang, the fines do not reflect their large incomes.

Zhang Yimou is the man behind some of China's most prominent films such as “Hero” and “House of the Flying Daggers.” Most recently, he orchestrated the starting and ending ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.