Case files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), have triggered public outcry in New York and worldwide, as residents condemned elite privilege and voiced anger over unchecked billionaire power.
On Jan 30, the DOJ said it had published millions of additional pages in compliance with the "Epstein Files Transparency Act," taking the total disclosure to nearly 3.5 million pages, alongside thousands of videos and images. The contents of these documents involve numerous well-known figures from the political, business, academic and entertainment sectors in the United States and other countries.
During interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN), local residents in New York voiced outrage at the revelations, underscoring public anger over unchecked billionaire power and elite impunity.
"Rich billionaires think they have no limits that they can do anything they want with anybody, and the whole world is their toy - even little girls," said Betty Dowles, an activist.
"It's amazing to so many people how much power and control that billionaires have accrued over the last few years. Most Americans weren't aware of the power that they have," said Laurence Fitzpacker, a retiree.
Ari Hayon, a consultant, noted that the elite class has long been insulated within society, government and politics.
"I feel elites have always been protected by society, by governments, by politicians, by everyone. But now, there is a door opening where they're not feeling protected anymore, and the truth is coming out," he explained.
"I think the elite operate in a different field, they don't operate like the rest of us. They have laws that are for them and there are laws that are for us. They are the elite, and they live a different life than we live, and they're never really held to account for the things that they do," Armand Bowles, a technician pointed out.
Entrepreneur Sally Adelman said key details in the case remain hidden, stressing that people want the truth.
"They are hiding the most important information so far, so we are here to remind people that even though they are releasing some, they are keeping the most important parts private and secret. And we want to know," she said.
Convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor and arrested again in 2019 on sex trafficking charges, Epstein died in jail weeks later, a death ruled a suicide that continues to fuel debate over elite impunity.
New Yorkers condemn elite privilege as Epstein abuses spark outcry
New Yorkers condemn elite privilege as Epstein abuses spark outcry
New Yorkers condemn elite privilege as Epstein abuses spark outcry
China's "film-plus" strategy, which merges cinema with sectors such as retail, dining, and tourism, has been a key driver of consumption during this year's nine-day Spring Festival holiday, which runs through next Monday.
Popular tourist cities, from central China's Changde and Yichang to Qingdao on the country's eastern coast, have been taking full advantage of one of the most lucrative box office windows in the country's film market to boost related, diversified consumer spending.
Across these cities, local shopping malls have been hosting film-themed Spring Festival fairs; film shooting locations for iconic movies have been hosting folk cultural performances and other activities for holidaymakers.
Moviegoers can use their ticket stubs for discounts at the local stores and restaurants, as well as access to scenic areas and other locations featured in popular Chinese films. Shopping mall customers can also get special deals for movie tickets using their shopping receipts.
"At this film-themed fair, our products have been very popular with the visitors. Our sales have been great these two days," Zhong Ling, an inheritor of the traditional incense-making craft, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, told China Central Television (CCTV) at her stall at the film-themed fair held in a Wanda Plaza shopping mall in Changde, central China's Hunan Province.
"During the Spring Festival holiday, we've been receiving close to 7,000 cinema visits on average per day, which have driven our shopping mall's average daily sales to nearly 4 million yuan (about 580,000 U.S. dollars), a 5-percent increase from the same period last year," said Li Jun, marketing manager at the Wanda Plaza.
In Qingdao of east China's Shandong Province, which is one of the first 16 Chinese cities to implement the "film-plus" consumption initiative, more than 700 businesses including hotels, restaurants and museums, are now members of a so-called "ticket stub economy" alliance that integrates cinema with tourism, retail, dining, and accommodation, helping transform movie-going into a booming multi-dimensional, experiential industry.
Yichang, a premier tourist hub in central China's Hubei Province, is another city selected to pilot the "film-plus" model due to its stunning landscapes, historic sites, and rich ethnic culture. Many locations in the city, such as the Qingjiang Painting Gallery Scenic Area, have been featured in Chinese films over the years.
Since the beginning of the year, the Scenic Area, known for its scenic karst landscapes, emerald waters and distinctive culture of the Tujia ethnic minority group, has been rolling out special boat tours and other activities to attract moviegoers.
"The number of tourists has increased 15 percent over the past two months compared with the same period last year. Movies have indeed made our area even more popular and boosted consumption as well," said Xiu Yunfu, executive general manager of the Hubei Qingjiang Painting Gallery Tourism Development Co., Ltd.
Innovative film-going experiences in Chinese cities boost Spring Festival consumption
