Markant opbakning til kunstneren Ai WeiWei, som myndighederne siger skal betale en stor ekstraskat
Thousands of people have donated money to pay a massive tax bill served on Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, BBC online writes Monday.
By Monday, there had been donations totalling more than 5 million yuan (henved 5 mio. DKR) to pay off the 2,4 million US dollar in taxes and fines the authorities say he owes.
Many people believe he was served the bill because of his outspoken criticism of the government rather than because he had evaded taxes.
But a state-run newspaper has warned that the donations could be illegal.
The donations began shortly after the internationally renowned artist announced that he had received the tax demand.
People have handed over money using bank transfers and postal orders – and some have flown cash folded into paper planes over the wall into his compound.
According to a posting on the social networking site Twitter by Liu Yanping, a volunteer at the artist’s studio, almost 20,000 people have so far handed over money.
Mr Ai – who has sold artworks around the world – has admitted he does not need the money, and has vowed to pay people back later. He says the donations are an expression of people’s feelings about the way he has been treated.
The tax bill relates to late payments and fines connected to Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd, a firm that produces the artist’s work.
Although Mr Ai said he was only a “designer” at the company, the authorities maintain that he is the “actual controller”.
He was detained at Beijing Airport in April as he tried to leave the country and held for nearly three months.
He was released without charge in June, but accused of tax evasion. The current bill is how much the authorities say he owes.
Mr. Ai said the police told him: “We want people to think you are a bad guy”. He has until the end of the week to pay up. He has not yet decided what to do.
