Photo unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]
Photo unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]

A Chinese influencer in his 20s who parachuted off the roof of a high-rise apartment building to boost his online view count has been detained on public order charges and had all his social media accounts permanently suspended.

The South China Morning Post reported Monday that a 23-year-old man, identified only by his surname, was arrested by police in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, after parachuting from the roof of a high-rise building in a residential complex.

According to police, the man jumped from the rooftop with a parachute at around 11 p.m. on June 30 and posted the footage on his social media accounts the following day.

The video showed him gliding precariously between nearby apartment buildings and trees with his parachute deployed.

Police said his actions seriously disrupted public order and posed a threat to public safety. Under China's Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, administrative detention can last up to 15 days depending on the severity of the offense.

His social media accounts were also sanctioned, with his accounts permanently banned across major platforms. They had amassed around 60,000 followers.

Meanwhile, dangerous content created to chase views and followers has repeatedly sparked controversy in China. In June, a driver in Zhejiang Province was caught filming himself speeding at 152 kilometers per hour on a highway and posting the video on social media, and was fined and had penalty points added to his license.


choigo@heraldcorp.com