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| Zhao Liying Demands Media Stop Photographing Her Son After New Paparazzi Incident |
Chinese actress Zanilia Zhao (Zhao Liying) has once again called out paparazzi behaviour after photos said to show her young son circulated online on 18 November.
The images, which spread quickly across social platforms, sparked fresh concern as the child has been targeted by cameras several times in recent months.
Studio Issues Firm Statement Against Photographing Minors
In response, Zhao Liying’s studio released a formal statement urging media outlets, freelance photographers, and online content creators to stop pointing their cameras at minors altogether.
The team stressed that such actions go against professional ethics and could harm a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
The studio also appealed to the public to stop sharing the circulated images, emphasising that every child deserves privacy.
To underline the message, they posted a crossed-out camera icon, making it very clear where the boundary should be.
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| Zhao Liying Pushes Back Against Paparazzi Targeting Children at Public Events |
Not the First Time Zhao Liying Has Had to Step In
This marks the second time in three months that Zhao has had to publicly defend her son’s privacy.
Back in September, clips of Zhao Liying travelling with her child were filmed by online entertainment accounts, triggering widespread discussion.
Zhao Liying, speaking as a mother, previously wrote that children’s private lives should be respected, and she hoped the media would refrain from adding pressure to those who are not in the public eye.
On 18 November, the actress had reportedly taken her six-year-old son to watch a children’s theatre production when paparazzi once again filmed them without consent.
The incident reignited debate on media boundaries and the rights of minors in the public sphere.
Legal Experts Weigh In: “Clear Infringement of Privacy”
Legal professionals interviewed by Chinese outlets have echoed Zhao Liying’s concerns.
According to lawyers from Beijing’s Haqin Law Firm, many self-media creators now rely heavily on sensational content to chase traffic, sometimes ignoring ethical limits and infringing on others’ rights in the process.
Under China’s Civil Code, every citizen has a right to privacy.
Following someone without permission, taking photos, and publishing them for public consumption is considered a breach of private life and a violation of privacy rights.
Those responsible may face consequences such as orders to stop the behaviour, compensation for emotional distress, and other civil liabilities.
Another lawyer noted that while celebrities have a reduced expectation of privacy due to their public status, this protection does not extend to their family members.
For minors in particular, the law protects their rights just as firmly as it would any member of the public.
Even if photos are blurred or partially concealed, the act of secretly photographing a child is still considered an infringement.
Repeated following and filming can disturb a minor’s sense of personal safety and peace, making the behaviour unacceptable from both legal and ethical standpoints.
Zhao Liying’s studio concluded its statement by urging everyone—media workers, content creators, and the general public—to help create a calm and safe environment for all families. For Zhao Li Ying, being a mother is a deeply meaningful part of her life, and she has made it clear that her son’s privacy should not be compromised simply because of her fame.
Source: Sohu/Weibo Zanilia Zhao Studio