Controversy at Boao Forum Over Former Adult Film Actress Becoming Head of Economic Research Institute

1990s Hong Kong Adult Film Actress Feng Dan
International Economic Strategy Institute Director Attends Forum, Drawing Attention
"Contributions to Honduras' Taiwan Diplomatic Break and China Diplomatic Establishment" Claimed Achievements

The Boao Forum, known as the Chinese version of the 'Davos Forum,' concluded on the 31st of last month, drawing attention to a participant with an unusual background.

Pang Dan, former Hong Kong adult film actress and director of the International Economic Strategy Institute, attending the China Boao Forum last March.
[Photo by Baidu screen capture]

The Chinese edition of Radio Free Asia (RFA) recently reported, "Feng Dan (50), a former 'Category III film' actress, attended the Boao Forum, which opened on the 28th of last month, surprising many Chinese people." In China, Category III films refer to adult or pornographic movies.

Many Chinese-language media outlets have raised questions about how she, having worked as an adult film actress, was able to participate in the Boao Forum, which is attended by political and business leaders from across Asia.

Feng Dan attended this Boao Forum in the capacity of 'Director of the International Economic Strategy Institute.' The International Economic Strategy Institute is a newly established research organization launched in Beijing last November. Taiwan's Central News Agency reported, "Feng Dan, who has no experience in finance or economic research, appearing at the Boao Forum?a venue difficult to access without strong backing?has sparked significant controversy among Chinese people."

At its founding, the International Economic Strategy Institute received congratulatory videos from former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and heads of state from countries such as Ethiopia and Pakistan. Local media have reported that questions are growing about how Feng Dan built international connections and managed to attend the forum.

Feng Dan was a popular adult film actress in the Hong Kong film industry during the 1990s. Born in 1972 in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, she grew up in a wealthy environment influenced by her grandfather, who served as the vice mayor of Zunyi City, Guizhou Province.

She was a member of the Beijing Ballet Company starting in 1988, and after immigrating to the United States with her family in 1990, she enrolled in the dance department at the Juilliard School in New York. While studying ballet, she was selected as 'Miss China USA,' which marked the beginning of her entertainment career. After moving to Hong Kong in 1995, she actively starred in Category III films. After returning to China post-2000, Feng Dan worked as an actor and director in patriotic films and was elected as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Gansu Province in 2013, marking her entry into politics. Now, she has made a spectacular comeback as an 'economic expert' at this year's Boao Forum.

Her ability to attend this Boao Forum is attributed to her 'behind-the-scenes diplomacy' efforts. After the women's roundtable at the Boao Forum on the 30th of last month, she told reporters, "In February, before Honduras announced the severance of diplomatic ties with Taiwan, I visited Honduras to inspect trade sites related to China and received a special reception from Honduran President Xiomara Castro." Based on this, it is speculated that Feng Dan engaged in behind-the-scenes activities for China's diplomatic efforts, which led to her appointment as director of the International Economic Strategy Institute and her participation in external activities.

Public opinion in China regarding Feng Dan's activities as a former adult film actress is divided. Local media Shenzhen Wanbao commented, "A young woman who worked hard for decades across the seas has achieved a remarkable transformation," and stated, "Feng Dan's success should not be mocked." On the other hand, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported, "News of Feng Dan's attendance at the Boao Forum, despite having no research experience in the relevant fields, has sparked significant controversy in China."