Chinese actor detained for damaging car while drunk

A man surnamed Li, has been criminally detained for damaging another person's car in Beijing's Chaoyang district while under the influence of alcohol, local police said on Thursday.

The district's public security department posted a statement highlighting that the suspect was detained after he was found intoxicated and had kicked a car door, scratched its logo, kicked off its side mirror and smashed it because the vehicle was improperly parked in a public space in Bailizhuang.

According to Chinese media, the suspect was identified as actor Li Mingde, 28, who trended on social media platforms after making allegations against the crew of his new drama, The Triple Echo of Time, and the alleged special treatment given to his former co-star Ma Tianyu.

Both the drama producer and Li's entertainment agency later announced that it had cut ties with him. Li also announced that he had quit showbiz.

The drama kicked off filming in late December and by the beginning of this year, Li made several online posts calling out the crew for poor treatment and for allegedly showing preferential treatment to Ma, adding that Ma was acting like a big shot.

The drama producer denied the allegations, claiming that it was Li who failed to attend the makeup and script reading sessions as agreed, leaving the scene and not responding to attempts to contact him, causing filming delays. Ma also released a statement denying Li's accusations through his micro-blogging account.

Li, a native of Shandong province, first drew public attention and officially entered the film and television industry with his outstanding performance in a school drama in 2018.

According to the police statement, Li confessed to the offense while the owner of the damaged car, surnamed Yang, was given an administrative punishment for illegal parking.

While reminding residents to park their vehicles properly for the convenience of the public and themselves, the police also warned members of the public to refrain from acting recklessly while under the influence of alcohol, as they will pay the price for it.