The sacred image of China’s famed Shaolin Temple has been severely tarnished as its abbot, Shi Yongxin, faces multiple criminal investigations. The Chinese Buddhist Association and Shaolin Temple’s board officially announced on July 28 that Shi Yongxin has been removed from his post amid allegations of embezzlement, moral misconduct, and fathering illegitimate children. He is currently under investigation by the Religious Affairs Bureau, Public Security Bureau, and Disciplinary Inspection Commission.
Ashton Chen’s Name Emerges in the Aftermath
Following the announcement, Chinese media outlet Sohu reported that the name of Ashton Chen—once known as China’s most iconic child martial arts star—has re-emerged across Weibo trends. Known for his early rise to fame as a martial arts prodigy and his close relationship with Shi Yongxin, Chen is widely recognized as a 30th-generation disciple of Shaolin. His father, Chen Dongsheng, is a former Shaolin master and a close associate of the disgraced abbot.
This connection has prompted public speculation about the extent of the family’s involvement, though no formal accusations have been made against Ashton Chen or his father.
Born in 1988, Ashton Chen trained at Shaolin Temple from the age of two under Shi Yongxin‘s direct guidance. His mastery of traditional martial arts, including Luohan Fist, Shaolin Stick, and Drunken Sword, won him national acclaim. By age four, he had already claimed victories in martial arts competitions and made his film debut at five. His roles in iconic titles such as Shaolin Popey, China Dragon, and Shaolin Hero made him a household name during the 1990s.
At his peak, the young actor earned millions in yuan annually and amassed an estimated fortune of 350 million RMB by his teenage years. Later stepping away from the limelight, he studied abroad and ultimately took over his father’s business empire, reportedly valued at 1.4 billion USD.
Shocking Controversies at the Family’s Martial Arts School
The Shaolin Tongshan Martial Arts School, operated by Ashton Chen’s father, has been embroiled in two serious incidents:
- April 2019: A 6-year-old girl died under mysterious circumstances two days after enrolling. Though the school cited pre-existing illness, witnesses claimed she had visible bruises and signs of physical abuse.
- August 2019: A 13-year-old student was allegedly sexually assaulted by a trainer. Authorities detained the suspect, but both cases later faded from public discourse, sparking allegations of cover-ups.
Ashton Chen distanced himself from the school following the scandals, claiming no involvement. However, past interviews contradicted this, as he previously mentioned helping his father with school operations. This inconsistency has drawn criticism from the public.
Alleged Ties to Triad-Linked Businessman
Further concerns were raised due to the family’s reported ties with Wu Diao, a powerful figure in Taiwan’s Zhulian Gang (an offshoot of the Triad Society). Wu Diao, now the head of a major Taiwanese film production company, is said to be Ashton Chen’s godfather and investor.
These connections have raised eyebrows, particularly as several major Chinese actors, including Andy Lau, Jet Li, and Wu Jing, were also found to have worked with companies linked to Shi Yongxin. Nevertheless, there is no current evidence suggesting they were involved in or aware of any wrongdoing.
While online debates continue, many caution against hasty judgment, emphasizing the need to await official investigation results. As of now, Ashton Chen and his family have not been formally implicated, and no criminal charges have been brought against them.
K14
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