Chinese star will fight rape case
A CHINESE movie star and his producer friend have pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in a luxury Sydney hotel.
Actor Gao Yunxiang and producer Wang Jing yesterday at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman multiple times at the Shangri-La Hotel in March 2018.
Gao, a star so popular in Asia his lawyer likened him to Hugh Jackman, appeared before a courtroom packed with Chinese media while Wang appeared via video link. Both men pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A trial has been set down for late October 2019 and is expected to run for six weeks.
Two additional charges of aggravated sexual assault and inflicting actual bodily harm against the pair were withdrawn in November.
Three interpreters will be needed when the trial is due to kick off, and a “significant defence case” will be raised, the court heard.
Neither men will be required to appear at a readiness hearing slated for September 6.
In June, Gao paid a $3 million bail surety and swapped his prison cell for a $6000-amonth Sydney apartment.