Li Yapeng in a video posted on Douyin on January 20, 2026 Photo: Screenshot from Douyin

The Beijing Smile Angel Children Charity Foundation, co-founded by Chinese actor-turned-businessman Li Yapeng and his ex-wife, pop diva Faye Wong, responded on Tuesday to the suspension of fundraising to Beijing SmileAngel Children’s Hospital – a private hospital that shares the same aspiration with the foundation which came into public spotlight for reportedly facing closure over unpaid rent, after many netizens left messages to the foundation saying they could not donate.

“We have received a surge in donations recently and will cherish and properly continue to use the funds for medical aid for patients with cleft lip and palate. In accordance with relevant laws and regulations, fundraising projects that have reached their budget targets will be temporarily suspended and reopened after regulatory filings are updated,” the foundation said in a statement on Sina Weibo on Tuesday.

Support for patients with cleft lip and palate is a long-term commitment and thanked donors for their continued support, the foundation said, calling for joint efforts to pass on love. 

The response came after the Beijing SmileAngel Children’s Hospital, which is known for providing free treatments to Chinese children suffering from cleft lip and palate, was reportedly facing possible closure due to rent arrears, prompting a surge of public attention.

According to its official website, the hospital opened on July 1, 2012, in Wangjing East Garden, Chaoyang district, Beijing. It is China’s first private, non-profit comprehensive children’s hospital, jointly initiated by Li Yapeng, Faye Wong and others, with Li serving as its legal representative. It operates on a non-profit basis, bars lifetime dividends to board members, and dedicates all assets to public welfare. 

The celebrity couple set up the hospital and the foundation because of their daughter, Li Yan, was born with a cleft lip. 

Some media outlets, including the Hongxing News, a local news portal under Chengdu Economic Daily reported on January 12 that Beijing SmileAngel Children’s Hospital has been overdue on rent to its landlord since 2022. Although the court has issued a judgment and the landlord’s application for enforcement has been submitted, the hospital has still refused to pay the rent or vacate the premises. 

On January 13, the hospital responded on its Sina Weibo account that the rent that the landlord sued for is actually the portion that has doubled since 2020. If it were based on the original contract rent, the hospital has done its best to make the payments. Despite facing numerous difficulties, the hospital is still actively negotiating with the landlord and sincerely hope that the rent can return to the current reasonable and normal market level. 

“The hospital can currently maintain normal operations but is unable to pay the excessive portion that is twice the market price. We respect the court's judgment, but the relocation of the hospital requires many preconditions, including many scheduled surgeries that have not yet been completed. We hope everyone can understand. The Hospital is a non-profit hospital and a social asset. We also take this opportunity to appeal to all sectors of society for support and assistance,” the hospital said. 

On the same day, Li Yapeng reposted the Weibo of the hospital, saying that “Beijing SmileAngel Children’s Hospital may become a part of history, but we will stand our post until the very end.”

On January 14, Li posted a video addressing the possible relocation or closure of the the hospital over rent arrears, drawing widespread online attention. 

“Donate to Li Yapeng” has then became a trending topic on Chinese social media platforms. Many netizens flocked to Li’s post on his Douyin account, asking for where they could donate. Some netizen asked that if donations reach 20 million yuan, will Li Yapeng be able to pay off the overdue rent, and can the hospital avoid relocation.

On January 16, Li posted another video expressing his gratitude, saying that over the past two days, more than 180,000 donors had contributed a total of about 9 million yuan ($1.29 million), enough to fund roughly 1,000 cleft lip and palate surgeries.

According to media reports, as of 12:30 pm on Sunday, the total donations have surpassed 13 million yuan.  

However, on Monday, many netizens left messages on the Smile Angel Children Charity Foundation’s fundraising page, saying they could not donate.

Following the hospital’s response on the suspension of fundraising, on Tuesday evening, Li posted a video on Douyin, saying that he had conducted four livestreams and received 291,083.35 yuan in platform revenue sharing. After paying individual income tax, he donated the entire amount to the hospital and labeled it as “donated on behalf of netizens.”

Li said the hospital would temporarily decline public visits so it can return to normal operations, and that donation details will be made public. He added that he hopes to receive continued, long-term attention and support from the public.

Global Times