Kris Wu officially arrested over rape claims

BEIJING • Beijing authorities on Monday approved the arrest of Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu over allegations of rape in a scandal that has drawn widespread condemnation on social media.

The saga has evoked China's #MeToo movement, which saw a wave of women come forward in 2018 voicing experiences of sexual harassment - sometimes involving powerful public figures.

Nineteen-year-old student Du Meizhu accused Wu last month of date-raping her when she was 17, resulting in a barrage of public criticism and luxury brands dropping deals with him.

On Monday, the People's Procuratorate of Beijing's Chaoyang district said in a statement that it has approved his arrest "on suspicion of rape".

Wu, 30, shot to fame in 2011 as a member of the K-pop boy band Exo. He left in 2014 to launch a solo career as a singer, actor, model and variety show judge.

Since Du's accusations, more alleged victims have spoken out online, accusing Wu's staff of predatory behaviour, including inviting them to boozy karaoke parties.

Wu - who also holds Canadian citizenship - was detained by police late last month.

The China Association of Performing Arts said in a statement on Monday that violating the law and having a negative influence on society as a top celebrity was "intolerable for the industry".

"After legal actions have concluded, the artiste involved in this case, Wu Yifan, will also face continued employment boycotts and other punishments imposed by the industry," the group added, using Wu's Chinese name. "Artistes and management companies should take this case as a warning."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE