‘Surrounded by total love’: China director, 75, criticised for 5th child plan with wife

South China Morning Post2 October 2026, 02:00 UTCPeople's Republic of China

China’s veteran filmmaker Zhang Jizhong, 75, and his 44-year-old wife, Du Xinglin, ignited online debate after announcing they are contemplating having a fifth child. The Beijing-born director and producer is renowned for his adaptations of celebrated television versions of classic Chinese novels, including Water Margin and Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. Du, who studied in France, holds a doctorate in intellectual property law. The couple married in 2017 and have since welcomed a son and two...

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