Latest news with #Chinese-British
The Guardian
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Chinese celebrities ‘voluntarily' provided character references in 2019 WeChat videos, Liberal candidate says
A Liberal candidate for an ultra-marginal seat in Sydney says famous Chinese actors based in Beijing voluntarily provided glowing character references describing him as a 'young talent' and were not paid to do so. Guardian Australia has confirmed the actors approached by Scott Yung's campaign separately charge several thousands of dollars for similar short video endorsements and personalised messages. The videos were filmed before Yung unsuccessfuly contested the New South Wales seat of Kogarah in a bid to unseat the premier, Chris Minns. But the videos remain on his official WeChat page. Yung is now the candidate in the federal seat of Bennelong, where almost one-third of residents have Chinese ancestry. The Labor member, Jerome Laxale, has a margin of just 0.1%. NSW rules require all electoral expenditure, including money spent on marketing and advertising during campaigns, to be publicly disclosed. Yung's 2019 disclosures do not reference payments to celebrities for endorsements. Yung told Guardian Australia 'there was no payment for any of these celebrity endorsements. They were provided voluntarily, so there was nothing to declare.' Shortly after the 2019 state election, in a YouTube video with a marketing expert, Yung confirmed his campaign team had 'got celebrities in China to give us endorsements'. One 14-second video recorded by the Chinese-British actor and film director Zhang Tielin said: 'Wishing the talented young Chinese Mr Rong Sicheng [Scott Yung] has great success ahead and a boundless future! All the best! I'm Zhang Tielin from Beijing, China.' Beijing-based media company Star Wind Culture Media collaborates with Zhang to provide personalised videos including endorsements. Its website states this fee can be up to $15,000. A Star Wind Culture Media spokesperson said it did not produce Zhang's endorsement for Yung, but said the actor and director had previously recorded 'a few' tailored videos without the company's involvement. In 2022, Chinese state media mentioned Zhang as one of many celebrities that provided paid endorsements for a fee worth between $7,600 and $18,000. Tang Hao, an agent who represents Zhang, told Guardian Australia he could not recall whether the actor was paid for the endorsement or not. The actor Hu Jun, who has starred in patriotic Chinese movies including The Battle at Lake Changjin, recorded a similar endorsement video that said: 'I'm here to wish the talented young Chinese Mr Rong Sicheng – may you rise steadily and achieve swift success!' Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025 Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Guangzhou-based media company Xingdian Entertainment partners with Hu to produce personalised endorsement videos. A company spokesperson told Guardian Australia they did not produce the endorsement for Yung, but confirmed Hu did charge people for filming tailored videos. In recent weeks, Yung has filmed interviews with Chinese language influencers who have promoted his story to their followers on the social media app Rednote. The influencer Lankey Liu, who runs the Sydney Mama Lankey account that usually posts about luxury real estate, introduced her 11,000 followers to 'this legendary young Chinese-Australian, Scott Yung'. Yung noted his personal connection to the former Liberal prime minister John Howard, who held Bennelong for more than 30 years. He referred to this during a separate interview with the 'Sydney shop exploration' video blogger, who has more than 10,000 followers and usually posts cooking videos or shop reviews. Liu, who also shared a separate interview with the independent candidate for Bradfield, Andy Yin, and the Liberal candidate for Reid, Grange Chung, said she had not been paid for the content. She said she approached the candidates because they were both members of the Chinese community. Candidates from all political parties – especially those with large Chinese-Australian populations – have increased their use of Rednote and WeChat to engage directly with their community. A 2022 review of the Liberal party's election defeat found that in the top 15 seats by Chinese ancestry, the two-party-preferred swing against them was 6.6% compared with 3.7% in other seats. This is one reason why politicians such as Laxale and the Menzies Liberal MP, Keith Wolahan, have been eager to regularly communicate with followers on Chinese social media.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Revealed: Libyan warlord at heart of migrant scandal has links to Britain
A Libyan warlord who allegedly controlled migrant smuggling routes into Europe and a network of torture prisons had direct links to Britain. Osama Almasri Najim, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), was detained in Italy this year but controversially freed as part of a suspected deal with Libya. The Telegraph can now reveal that documents found in his possession included valid Barclays and HSBC bank cards in his name, as well as business cards for a pharmacy and an immigration lawyer at a Chinese-British law firm in London. Italian police briefly detained Najim over crimes against humanity on Jan 19, but he was released two days later. His release triggered a legal investigation into Giorgia Meloni, Italy's prime minister. Documents obtained by The Telegraph show that he was also found with key cards for hotels in Italy and Germany, suggesting he had travelled around the UK and other parts of Europe unheeded. Critics have accused Ms Meloni of releasing the 45-year-old as part of a quid-pro-quo deal struck between Italy and Libya to stop migrants from leaving North Africa in boats and crossing the Mediterranean towards the EU nation. The ICC issued the warrant for Najim on Jan 18 for suspected crimes against humanity and war crimes, including 'murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 onwards'. Migrants told The Telegraph that they suffered gross abuses at the hands of Najim, Libya's judicial police chief, after travelling to Libya in the hope of reaching Europe. They said they were taken to his prison, where they were tortured and forced into slavery. They said they were forced to assist in Libya's long civil war, carrying ammunition for troops. Other witness accounts have accused him of personally killing migrants with his bare hands as a means to intimidate others who had also been unlawfully detained. These crimes allegedly occurred in prisons in Tripoli that Najim oversaw. Najim was arrested in the northern Italian city of Turin. It was at this point that his links to Europe were discovered. It is unclear what Najim was doing in Turin when he was arrested. Lam Magok, 32, a refugee from war-ravaged South Sudan, said: '[Osama] Almasri is a very dangerous guy.' Mr Magok claims he was tortured several times in Libyan prisons by Najim, often suffering from severe beatings. 'He is one of the most notorious criminals in Tripoli. Even the Libyans fear him, detaining people accused of crimes, even those who were never accused of any crimes,' Mr Magok said. 'If someone was freed by the courts, he could still haul them into prison.' David Yambio, 27, said he was forced into slavery by Najim – working without pay at construction sites, and made to assist the latter's militia in a years-long civil war that embroiled Libya at the time. It was back-breaking work and there was no room for error. Mr Yambio remembers shaking in fear every time he was made to carry and load shells to be fired at war. When Najim, or men under his command, allegedly shot and killed migrants who had been rounded up into Libyan prisons, nobody dared to react in any way, said Mr Yambio. Otherwise, he warned: 'You would be next.' Mr Yambio said: 'He plays a huge role in the human trafficking network… Everything is under his control. 'No one – no one – in Libya can operate in this context in the coastal region without the involvement of him and the people connected to him.' Former prison detainees, including Mr Magok and Mr Yambio, recounted being marched straight from boats – on which they had hoped to escape to Italy in order to claim asylum – and into prisons. There, they say they suffered brutal torture and were held arbitrarily, in some cases for many years. Reports published by an expert panel appointed by the UN Security Council have repeatedly identified Najim as 'among the most responsible' for arbitrary and unlawful detentions and other violations of international humanitarian and human rights law that occurred under his orders, particularly at Mitiga prison in Tripoli, the biggest such facility in Libya. The Telegraph contacted the British law firm and pharmacy referenced in the documents. Three people at the law firm, located in London's Chinatown neighbourhood, refused to say anything after a Telegraph reporter showed them a picture of Najim. All those working at the British pharmacy – also in London – said they did not recall seeing Najim. The owner said he was astonished to find out that Najim had his store's card. Najim's assets stretch as far afield as Turkey, where he has at least one company registered in his name. At the time of his arrest, Najim also had in his possession six Turkish debit and credit cards, including with the state-owned Ziraat Bank, the country's largest bank; as well as a Turkish citizen identity card, indicating a second citizenship in addition to his Libyan status. Corporate records list Najim and Abdulkerim Mektebi, a Turkish citizen, as co-directors of a company called al-Asale al-Dahabiye 2, based in Istanbul and founded in August last year. The firm purports to specialise in the import and export of various iron and steel products, according to company registry documents. Mr Mektebi could not be reached for comment. Najim's business cards, copies of which were obtained by The Telegraph, list him as the general manager of the company, as well as another firm called al-Asale al-Dahabiye 1. The latter firm, however, did not turn up any results in a search of a Turkish government company registry. Najim's name cards for both firms list a British number, serviced by Vodafone, though calls are immediately directed to voicemail. The cards also have Turkish and Libyan numbers listed; calls to those numbers did not connect. The address listed for Najim's company is a flat located in a residential complex in a district of Istanbul that has become popular with foreigners in recent years. Two employees at a grocery store near the compound recognised a picture of Najim, who had come in before to shop. 'He was tall, well-dressed… whenever he came to the market,' said a grocery worker. Najim's release has created an uproar, with Ms Meloni criticised by opposition politicians, victims of Najim and other advocacy groups for deliberately freeing him to shore up Libya's continuing support in stopping migrant boats from crossing to Italy. Italy has provided financing and training to the coast guards of Libya and neighbouring Tunisia. Last year, the number of boats sailing from the North African coast bound for Italy was reduced by 59 per cent. Italian authorities are 'the ones betraying us [migrants]; they fund Libya to keep the migrants there', said Mr Magok, who claims he survived only because he managed to escape the prison. He and Mr Yambio now are vocal advocates on migrant rights as part of Refugees in Libya, an advocacy organisation. 'European countries have to change the system of pushing back migrants in the sea,' he said. 'I don't see the reason why they have to build walls and close borders; we are just people who want to leave [due to suffering]; we are not criminals, and we are not mafia.' 'Migrants are human beings, and their rights should be respected.' On Feb 3, Mr Magok filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors in Rome against Ms Meloni, as well as Carlo Nordio, the justice minister, and Matteo Piantedosi, the interior minister, for allegedly aiding and abetting Najim by sending him back to Libya. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Revealed: Libyan warlord at heart of migrant scandal has links to Britain
A Libyan warlord who allegedly controlled migrant smuggling routes into Europe and a network of torture prisons had direct links to Britain. Osama Almasri Najim, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), was detained in Italy this year but controversially freed as part of a suspected deal with Libya. The Telegraph can now reveal that documents found in his possession included valid Barclays and HSBC bank cards in his name, as well as business cards for a pharmacy and an immigration lawyer at a Chinese-British law firm in London. Italian police briefly detained Najim over crimes against humanity on Jan 19, but he was released two days later. His release triggered a legal investigation into Giorgia Meloni, Italy's prime minister. Documents obtained by The Telegraph show that he was also found with key cards for hotels in Italy and Germany, suggesting he had travelled around the UK and other parts of Europe unheeded. Critics have accused Ms Meloni of releasing the 45-year-old as part of a quid-pro-quo deal struck between Italy and Libya to stop migrants from leaving North Africa in boats and crossing the Mediterranean towards the EU nation. The ICC issued the warrant for Najim on Jan 18 for suspected crimes against humanity and war crimes, including 'murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 onwards'. Migrants told The Telegraph that they suffered gross abuses at the hands of Najim, Libya's judicial police chief, after travelling to Libya in the hope of reaching Europe. They said they were taken to his prison, where they were tortured and forced into slavery. They said they were forced to assist in Libya's long civil war, carrying ammunition for troops. Other witness accounts have accused him of personally killing migrants with his bare hands as a means to intimidate others who had also been unlawfully detained. These crimes allegedly occurred in prisons in Tripoli that Najim oversaw. Najim was arrested in the northern Italian city of Turin. It was at this point that his links to Europe were discovered. It is unclear what Najim was doing in Turin when he was arrested. Lam Magok, 32, a refugee from war-ravaged South Sudan, said: '[Osama] Almasri is a very dangerous guy.' Mr Magok claims he was tortured several times in Libyan prisons by Najim, often suffering from severe beatings. 'He is one of the most notorious criminals in Tripoli. Even the Libyans fear him, detaining people accused of crimes, even those who were never accused of any crimes,' Mr Magok said. 'If someone was freed by the courts, he could still haul them into prison.' David Yambio, 27, said he was forced into slavery by Najim – working without pay at construction sites, and made to assist the latter's militia in a years-long civil war that embroiled Libya at the time. It was back-breaking work and there was no room for error. Mr Yambio remembers shaking in fear every time he was made to carry and load shells to be fired at war. When Najim, or men under his command, allegedly shot and killed migrants who had been rounded up into Libyan prisons, nobody dared to react in any way, said Mr Yambio. Otherwise, he warned: 'You would be next.' Mr Yambio said: 'He plays a huge role in the human trafficking network… Everything is under his control. 'No one – no one – in Libya can operate in this context in the coastal region without the involvement of him and the people connected to him.' Former prison detainees, including Mr Magok and Mr Yambio, recounted being marched straight from boats – on which they had hoped to escape to Italy in order to claim asylum – and into prisons. There, they say they suffered brutal torture and were held arbitrarily, in some cases for many years. Reports published by an expert panel appointed by the UN Security Council have repeatedly identified Najim as 'among the most responsible' for arbitrary and unlawful detentions and other violations of international humanitarian and human rights law that occurred under his orders, particularly at Mitiga prison in Tripoli, the biggest such facility in Libya. The Telegraph contacted the British law firm and pharmacy referenced in the documents. Three people at the law firm, located in London's Chinatown neighbourhood, refused to say anything after a Telegraph reporter showed them a picture of Najim. All those working at the British pharmacy – also in London – said they did not recall seeing Najim. The owner said he was astonished to find out that Najim had his store's card. Najim's assets stretch as far afield as Turkey, where he has at least one company registered in his name. At the time of his arrest, Najim also had in his possession six Turkish debit and credit cards, including with the state-owned Ziraat Bank, the country's largest bank; as well as a Turkish citizen identity card, indicating a second citizenship in addition to his Libyan status. Corporate records list Najim and Abdulkerim Mektebi, a Turkish citizen, as co-directors of a company called al-Asale al-Dahabiye 2, based in Istanbul and founded in August last year. The firm purports to specialise in the import and export of various iron and steel products, according to company registry documents. Mr Mektebi could not be reached for comment. Najim's business cards, copies of which were obtained by The Telegraph, list him as the general manager of the company, as well as another firm called al-Asale al-Dahabiye 1. The latter firm, however, did not turn up any results in a search of a Turkish government company registry. Turkish and Libyan numbers Najim's name cards for both firms list a British number, serviced by Vodafone, though calls are immediately directed to voicemail. The cards also have Turkish and Libyan numbers listed; calls to those numbers did not connect. The address listed for Najim's company is a flat located in a residential complex in a district of Istanbul that has become popular with foreigners in recent years. Two employees at a grocery store near the compound recognised a picture of Najim, who had come in before to shop. 'He was tall, well-dressed… whenever he came to the market,' said a grocery worker. Najim's release has created an uproar, with Ms Meloni criticised by opposition politicians, victims of Najim and other advocacy groups for deliberately freeing him to shore up Libya's continuing support in stopping migrant boats from crossing to Italy. Italy has provided financing and training to the coast guards of Libya and neighbouring Tunisia. Last year, the number of boats sailing from the North African coast bound for Italy was reduced by 59 per cent. Italian authorities are 'the ones betraying us [migrants]; they fund Libya to keep the migrants there', said Mr Magok, who claims he survived only because he managed to escape the prison. He and Mr Yambio now are vocal advocates on migrant rights as part of Refugees in Libya, an advocacy organisation. 'European countries have to change the system of pushing back migrants in the sea,' he said. 'I don't see the reason why they have to build walls and close borders; we are just people who want to leave [due to suffering]; we are not criminals, and we are not mafia.' 'Migrants are human beings, and their rights should be respected.' On Feb 3, Mr Magok filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors in Rome against Ms Meloni, as well as Carlo Nordio, the justice minister, and Matteo Piantedosi, the interior minister, for allegedly aiding and abetting Najim by sending him back to Libya.
