Bordeaux château owner Vicky Zhao Wei under fire in China

The famous actress and Chinese owner of Château Monlot in Bordeaux has faced fierce criticism in her native country this week over the casting of a Taiwanese actor in a new film.

Vicky Zhao Wei and investors have reportedly agreed to replace Taiwanese actor Leon Dai in a film that Vicky Zhao is directing after Dai failed to clarify his political views – specifically on Taiwan independence.

The status of Taiwan is a major faultline in Chinese politics.

Vicky Zhao Wei has faced intense criticism on social media channels in China, including Weibo, for casting Dai as a lead in the film, named ‘No Other Love’ and which is her second outing as a director.

The owner of Château Monlot, with a personal fortune of an estimated $1bn according to Forbes magazine, launched her first wines in China late last year.

Chinese film star Vicky Zhao Wei launches Bordeaux wines

Among those criticising Vicky Zhao in the past few weeks has been the Communist Youth League, a youth movement affiliated to China’s ruling Communist Party.

Vicky Zhao bought the seven hectare Château Monlot, a St-Emilion Grand Cru, in 2011 for an undisclosed fee. Estate agents in the area said it likely cost between four million and five million euros.