Brad Pitt sets Chinese social media astir

9th January, 2013

Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt made waves on Monday with his first post on Chinese social media, a cryptic message suggesting he would soon visit the country.

It is the truth. Yup, Im coming, said the initial entry on the stars verified account on Sina Weibo, one of Chinas hugely popular Twitter-like microblogs.

It was unclear if the message from the star of Fight Club, Spy Game, Oceans Eleven and other films meant that he would be physically coming to China.

Various Internet movie sites say Pitt was banned from entering the country after starring in Seven Years in Tibet.

In 1997, the state-run China Daily said that Hollywood would never be forgiven for a series of films on the region, specifically citing Pitts movie, along with Richard Geres Red Corner and Kundun, directed by Martin Scorsese.

China has long waged a campaign against Tibets exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing accuses of seeking independence for the troubled region, and the paper said the films totally distorted historical facts and events.

But Pitts Weibo account was an instant hit on Monday, drawing more than 100,000 followers within six hours of his first post.

Bring Jolie along, said one comment, referring to Pitts glamorous partner actress Angelina Jolie.

China imposes strict controls on the Internet and blocks sites popular in the West such as such as Twitter and Facebook.