Guo Degang, a famous Chinese crosstalk performer, has escaped from
a lawsuit over false claims he made in an advertisement for a
"diet" tea thanks to his timely expression of regret,
Beijing
Times reported on Tuesday.
The Chongwen District People's Court in the Chinese capital
accepted the plaintiff's request to withdraw an accusation against
Guo on Monday.
Wang Litang, a consumer of the "diet" tea, said the two
negotiations with Guo before the court session on Saturday were
successful as "he has realized his wrong behavior."
Guo advertised Zang Mi Pai You, or Tibetan Secret
Fat-Elimination Tea, and was reported to have been paid two million
yuan (US$261,557) for the promotion.
In the advertisement, Guo said he had lost three kilograms since
he began drinking the "miraculous Tibetan tea."
However, in a written agreement with Wang, Guo said he
"respected" Wang's accusation and accepted he had made an "illegal
promotion" for the tea.
Chinese laws and regulations ban famous people from promoting
health care products under the guise of being an ordinary
consumer.
Guo said in the agreement that he has learnt from the
lawsuit.
Wang Hai, Guo's agent, told the newspaper on Monday that
watchdog last March demanded "Zang Mi Pai You" be removed from
pharmacies in Beijing and Guo's promotion contract with the company
had expired automatically.
Guo is facing the same accusation in another district court of
the city, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The plaintiff surnamed Zhang, is claiming she was cheated by
Guo.
Zhang is seeking an apology and damages of 172 yuan from Guo,
the tea producer, a sales agency and the advertising company with a
claim that they are guilty of commercial fraud.
Zhang said she bought three boxes of tea because she was a fan
of Guo, but found she lost no weight at all and suffered nausea and
vomiting.
She said she also learned later that the tea had no connection
with Tibet.
(Shanghai Daily June 12, 2007)
