Chinese martial arts icon Donnie Yen is currently facing significant public backlash following a wave of online boycott movements triggered by controversial remarks made by his wife, Cissy Wang.
According to QQ, the actor has come under heavy pressure as angered netizens flood his social media accounts with criticism, causing his entire online network to experience system overload due to the high volume of engagement.
Initially, the backlash was directed primarily at Cissy Wang, whose contentious statements stirred public discontent. However, online discussions quickly shifted, with many netizens accusing Donnie Yen of sharing “dangerous” viewpoints similar to his wife’s particularly the notion of “blaming mainland China.”
Another faction criticized Donnie Yen for being “unable to control his wife,” suggesting that his failure to prevent her from posting unverified, speculative content also contributed to the public’s outrage.
Public dissatisfaction has escalated into calls for a full boycott of Donnie Yen’s work. Social media users declared they would refuse to watch any films featuring the actor. Others compiled lists of brands associated with Yen and encouraged the public to file complaints directly with manufacturers.
Some netizens labeled him a “person who forgets his roots”, vowing to undermine his commercial activities in mainland China. The sentiment reflects frustration over what many perceive as disrespectful or misguided attitudes amid a sensitive national moment.
The controversy stems from a tragic fire incident in Hong Kong that shocked and saddened the Chinese public. Before any official investigation results were released, Cissy Wang posted comments implying that mainland-manufactured goods were to blame, suggesting inferior quality and displaying what netizens described as an “overly Westernized mindset.”
The situation is particularly delicate for Donnie Yen, who is a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a national-level political advisory body. His longstanding efforts to strengthen his reputation and career in mainland China have placed him under heightened scrutiny.
Because of this political affiliation, many citizens believe he has an even greater responsibility to maintain measured, responsible public discourse something they feel was compromised by the controversy involving his wife.
Following intense criticism, Cissy Wang deleted her initial post and replaced it with a message offering clarification and an apology. However, according to QQ, this response did little to mitigate public anger.
Many netizens argued that her apology was insincere, claiming she acted only under public pressure rather than genuine remorse. As a result, the boycott against Donnie Yen continues to grow, fueled by a perception that the couple’s stance contradicts public sentiment during a sensitive time.
Sources: TP