Chinese artist and activist receives multi-million tax bill

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, notorious for his campaigns in favour of human rights, was ordered to pay some $2.97 million in taxes he allegedly did not pay.

1 November 2011, 12:00am

1 min read

Artist Ai Weiwei has been ordered to pay around $2.97 million for taxes he allegedly did not pay. When Ai was arrested in last Summer, detention authorities said it was because of tax evasion.

However he always claimed that he had been questioned over his calls for human rights.

Speaking to AFP, the artist said: “They gave a written notice today... there was no explanation whatsoever. We questioned where this figure came from - they couldn't give a clear answer.”

“The notice said I have 15 days to pay. That's about one million a day... if you don't pay they could put you in jail, maybe up to seven years. I really have no idea.”

Ai also claimed that the action was a government’s move to silence him. “During the 81 days (in detention) all the police talked about was subversion of state power, so I am very surprised they are avoiding talk about politics, (and now talk) about this tax,” Ai told AFP.

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Moribund - CORRECT. You win a trip to Filfla all expenses paid :)) Not sure what currency they are talking about so it could be that 1 million a day adds up to the amount of the fine.

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Since i have to answer to a math question everytime i contribute to Malta Today, my maths have improved considerably, and I feel confident enough, to state that a million a day for 15 days add up to 15 million and not $2.97 million. Either Ai is a poor mathematician, or this newspaper is badly in need of a proof reader.