Donations Pour In to Save Children's Hospital Founded by Star Li Yapeng

Beijing SmileAngel Children's Hospital, a charitable institution co-founded by actor Li Yapeng, is at risk of closure due to millions of yuan in unpaid rent, prompting a nationwide public donation drive.

As of 9pm on January 18, the affiliated Smile Angel Foundation had raised over 17 million yuan (US$2.4 million) in designated donations after the crisis gained public attention. The foundation stated that the funds, enough to cover 2,148 cleft lip and palate surgeries, will be used entirely for surgical treatment, rather than rent, according to a report by the Yangtze Evening News today.

The hospital, located in Beijing's Chaoyang District, has accumulated more than 20 million yuan in rental debt to its landlord since 2022, as reported by Jiefang Daily. The landlord has secured a court ruling against the hospital and filed for enforcement.

In a January 13 statement, the hospital explained that following the expiration of its lease in 2020, renewal talks included a proposed rent hike. Despite having paid the original rate for years, the hospital said it could not meet the new terms, edging it toward shutdown.

Li Yapeng addressed the issue on his Weibo account on January 17. He thanked the public for their support.

He emphasized the distinction between two separate organizations: the Smile Angel Foundation, a dedicated fund under the Chinese Red Cross Foundation that finances surgeries, and the Beijing SmileAngel Children's Hospital, which conducts the medical procedures. Donations to the foundation are strictly allocated to surgical support.

In a video statement, Li noted that the Smile Angel Foundation, which marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, has funded over 16,000 completely free cleft surgeries. Since its opening in 2012, the hospital has performed an additional 7,000 such surgeries, bringing their combined total to more than 23,000 free operations.

The initiatives were established after Li and his former wife, singer Faye Wong, had a daughter born with a cleft lip, with the aim of helping other affected children in China.

Recognized as the country's first private non-profit comprehensive children's hospital, it provides 600 free annual surgeries to children from underprivileged families, according to its website. Its Craniofacial Center offers a full range of treatments for cleft patients from infancy to age 16.

Online, many netizens voiced support. "We hope through everyone's efforts, the hospital can pay the rent and avoid closure," one typical comment read.