Wang Baoqiang & Ma Rong: 5.9 Billion Views in 24 Hours — China's Biggest Social Media Divorce
He posted on Weibo and broke the internet — 5.9 billion views as China watched a marriage explode in real time
Key Facts
What Happened
On August 14, 2016, Chinese actor Wang Baoqiang did something unprecedented: he announced his divorce on Weibo (China's equivalent of Twitter) by posting a detailed account of his wife Ma Rong's affair with his own manager and agent, Song Zhe. The post alleged that Ma Rong had been secretly transferring marital assets and that Song Zhe had been embezzling from Wang's entertainment company while sleeping with his wife. Within 24 hours, posts with the hashtag #WangBaoQiangDivorce had been viewed over 5.9 billion times — making it the biggest social media divorce event in Chinese internet history.
Wang Baoqiang's story resonated because of his rags-to-riches background. Born into extreme poverty in rural Hebei province, he left home at age 8 to study martial arts at a Shaolin monastery. His breakout film role in 'Blind Shaft' (2003) and later his comedic roles in the massively popular 'Lost in Thailand' franchise made him one of China's most beloved actors — the everyman who made it. Ma Rong, his college-educated wife, was seen as having married up. When the affair was revealed, Chinese internet users overwhelmingly sided with Wang, viewing Ma Rong as a gold digger who had betrayed an honest, hard-working man.
The legal battle was ferocious. Ma Rong counter-accused Wang of domestic violence and demanded half of the marital property, which included nine apartments, luxury cars, and significant investments. Wang filed both divorce proceedings and criminal complaints. In a separate criminal case, Song Zhe was arrested for embezzling funds from Wang's entertainment studio during a four-year period (2012–2016). In October 2018, the Beijing Chaoyang Court sentenced Song Zhe to six years in prison for embezzlement. The divorce itself was finalized in February 2019 by the Beijing Chaoyang People's Court, with Wang retaining the majority of marital assets after the court found evidence of Ma Rong's asset-concealment attempts.
The case transformed Chinese public discourse about divorce, marital fidelity, and the role of social media in domestic disputes. Legal experts debated whether Wang's Weibo post constituted defamation (Ma Rong briefly sued for it) or legitimate disclosure of wrongdoing. The case also highlighted China's evolving divorce law — China's Civil Code (effective 2021) introduced a mandatory 30-day 'cooling off' period for divorce filings, partly as a response to the perceived epidemic of impulsive divorces. The Wang-Ma case remains the definitive example of how social media can become both weapon and courtroom in a modern Chinese divorce.
Legal Breakdown: Social Media & Digital Evidence in Divorce
China's 'Cooling Off' Period for Divorce
China's Civil Code, effective January 1, 2021, introduced a mandatory 30-day 'cooling off' period after divorce applications are filed. During this window, either party can withdraw the application. This was designed to reduce impulsive divorces but has been widely criticized as trapping people — especially victims of domestic violence — in harmful marriages. The policy has no direct equivalent in U.S. law, though some states have mandatory waiting periods between filing and finalization. Chinese courts can waive the cooling-off period in cases involving domestic violence, though enforcement is inconsistent.
Social Media as Evidence and Weapon
Wang's Weibo post served dual purposes: public narrative control and evidence creation. Chinese courts have increasingly accepted social media posts, chat logs, and digital records as evidence in divorce proceedings. However, public accusations can also trigger defamation lawsuits — Ma Rong briefly filed one against Wang, though it was ultimately dismissed. In the U.S., social media evidence is routinely used in divorce cases, but attorneys generally advise against public posts about your spouse during proceedings, as they can backfire in court.
Asset Concealment Under Chinese Law
Under China's Civil Code, the court may award the innocent party a larger share of marital property if the other spouse is found to have concealed, transferred, wasted, or destroyed marital assets. Wang's legal team presented evidence of Ma Rong transferring property and funds, which contributed to the court's decision to award Wang the majority of assets. This is broadly similar to U.S. principles — most American states penalize asset dissipation — but Chinese courts have particularly broad discretion in adjusting the split based on 'fault,' which is more limited in many U.S. no-fault divorce states.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Social media can be a powerful tool in divorce, but it is also a double-edged sword. Going public may win you sympathy but can also expose you to defamation claims and complicate legal proceedings.
- →If you suspect asset concealment, document everything before making accusations. Forensic accountants and financial investigators should be engaged before any public disclosure.
- →The involvement of a trusted professional (like an agent or manager) in an affair adds layers of betrayal — and potential criminal liability. If someone close to you is managing your finances and having an affair with your spouse, the legal exposure extends far beyond divorce.
- →China's evolving divorce laws demonstrate how high-profile cases can change legislation. Understanding the current legal landscape — not the law as it existed during your marriage — is critical.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.