The Zhang Ziyi scandal may be surprising but trading sex for favors is part of the new China. When the rumors broke out that Chinese film star Zhang Ziyi had been paid for sex with disgraced Communist Party strongman Bo Xilai, the story grabbed headlines around the world. However in China, where many believe that liaisons like that are just part of doing business, a few eyebrows were raised by the allegations.

An angry Zhang Ziyi was quick to deny the rumors that she had sex more than 10 times with Bo Xilai between 2007 and 2011 for $1 million each time. Industry sources have also expressed doubts about the news, saying that the wealthy actress, who has starred in a number of Chinese and foreign blockbusters including "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and "Memoirs of a Geisha," would have little need to trade her body for cash.

Her latest movie, which was interestingly named "Dangerous Liaisons," had its world preview at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Zhang Ziyi failed to appear at the event further leading to speculation that she is under investigation in the Bo Xilai case and so the actress could not leave China. Zhang Ziyi then explained to the media that she was busy working on her next film and with that, she was not able to attend the prestigious event.

It is very possible that the actress has become the latest victim in the Communist Party's smear campaign aimed at thoroughly destroying Bo Xilai. The once powerful government official, who is under investigation for violating party discipline, was dismissed as party chief of Chongqing in March and dropped from the Politburo a month later. His wife, Gu Kailai, is reportedly suspected to be responsible for the murder of a British businessman in November. In recent months, a steady stream of scandals surrounding Bo Xilai's family has been leaked to the Western media most likely by his political opponents.

According to film industry sources, the Chinese actress may have offended a number of people, anyone of whom could have been the source for the unsubstantiated rumors. Still, many Chinese say that they believed the story of sexual liaisons. Right or wrong, there is a widely held perception in China that many beautiful actresses, singers, and dancers sleep their way to success.

Ada Shen, who has worked as a film producer for years in China, said that she has seen little evidence that there are Chinese actresses who regularly trade sex for favors. "The idea that you can sleep your way to the top is not well founded," says Shen. "I can't say it's not a problem, but I also can't say it's institutionalized," Shen added.

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