Anti-violence demo outside divorce court

Anti-domestic violence activists picketed outside a courthouse during the fourth hearing of the divorce of Crazy English founder Li Yang and his estranged American wife Kim Lee.

Prior to issuing divorce proceedings in November 2011, Lee alleged she had been physically abused by Li Yang.

Two "brides" wearing red- spattered wedding gowns protested outside Chaoyang district court, and a man held a poster saying "shame on you, perpetrator Li Yang" in English and Chinese.

"We waited outside the court from 8:30 am to 12:30 to support Kim and fight against domestic violence," said protestor Li Maizi.

"Before the session opened, Kim saw us and took a picture with us," said Li.

"We highlighted the white dresses with red pigment and colored our faces so we looked like we had been beaten badly. We want to use this way to voice our opinion against domestic violence," she said.

Lawyers for both sides said Tuesday there had been no major progress in the divorce case.

"Both sides listed new evidence to reassert their claims during the last three sessions, like fighting for the custody of the children, arguing about the division of property, and debate on the domestic violence," said Qi Lianfeng, Lee's lawyer.

"Kim still insists the children should go to an international school and we insist that they go to an ordinary Chinese schoo; we don't accept their financial support demand," said Li Yang's lawyer, Shi Ziyue.