Director gets money and apology for rights abuse

Renowned director Zhang Yimou will receive 450,000 yuan in compensation and a public apology from a writer and a publishing house for a violation of his rights, a local court ruled yesterday.

Huaxia Press and Huang Xiaoyang, author of the book Impression China: Zhang Yimou's Biography, were charged with violating Zhang's image, name and reputation at the Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court.

Zhang, 58, is a leading film director in China. He was the general director of the Beijing Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies in 2008, and the general director of the 60th anniversary of the National Day on Oct 1.