Man Named 'Alipay' (Zhi Fubao) Becomes Overnight Celeb in China

By Bridget O'Donnell, November 18, 2017

2 0

A man with a peculiar name has become an overnight celebrity in China.

According to What's On Weibo, 56-year-old Zhi Fubao just happens to share his name with Alibaba's online payment app. The shopkeeper writes his name in the same three characters as Alipay (支付宝).

Man Named 'Alipay' (Zhi Fu Bao) Becomes Overnight Celeb in China

Man Named 'Alipay' (Zhi Fu Bao) Becomes Overnight Celeb in China

Hailing from Yinan county in Shandong province, Zhi has even named his shop "Alipay's Shop." (Yes, it accepts Alipay).

Man Named 'Alipay' (Zhi Fu Bao) Becomes Web Sensation in China

Man Named 'Alipay' (Zhi Fu Bao) Becomes Overnight Celeb in China

The bizarre coincidence has turned Zhi into an online sensation, with a video of the shopkeeper introducing himself going viral on Chinese social media.

In response to the news, Alipay's official Weibo account shared the video with the comment "What a show-off!"

Alipay response

Zhi says Alipay employees once promised he could meet billionaire Alibaba founder Jack Ma, but he hasn't heard from them since.

[Images via What's On Weibo, Sina, Pear Video]

more news

Comedian Joe Wong: ‘I Was Never the Funny One’

We sat down with comedian Joe Wong ahead of his new show 'Mid Life' in Shenzhen.

US Adds Alibaba and Tencent to ‘Notorious Markets List’

The companies have been added to the list for selling counterfeit goods.

Is This 14-Year-Old Girl from Shandong China's Next Yao Ming?

Zhang exploded with 42 points, 25 rebounds and six blocks – helping to lead her team to the championship.

Chinese Internet Reacts to Alibaba's Record ¥18 Billion Fine

Top comments called for anti-monopoly investigations into other tech companies like Tencent and Meituan.

Will Alibaba Have to Sell South China Morning Post?

South China Morning Post employees have expressed concern for the future as Alibaba is pressed to trim media assets.

4 Ways to Say 'You're Funny' in Chinese

In case you find yourself in a cackling fit, here are different ways to say 'you're funny' on a more personal level.

Alibaba Sells ¥372.3 Billion in Lead-up to Singles' Day

This year was certainly a big one for participating brands.

An Epic Duet: Jack Ma and Chinese Pop Star Faye Wong

Watch Jack Ma belt out a rendition of an old classic, 'If the Cloud Knows'.

0 User Comments

In Case You Missed It…

We're on WeChat!

Scan our QR Code at right or follow us at thatsonline for events, guides, giveaways and much more!

7 Days in China With thatsmags.com

Weekly updates to your email inbox every Wednesday

Download previous issues

Never miss an issue of That's Magazines!

Visit the archives