Shan Jixiang, curator of the Palace Museum, plays a clip of video surveillance which shows an online anchor enters the museum at 14：13, May 1, 2017. (Photo/Chinanews.com)
(ECNS) -- The Palace Museum has strongly denounced the behavior of an online female anchor who made up a story and disseminated fake news about the former royal complex to garner fame and attention.
Video-streaming herself on an Internet site, the woman claimed she was sleeping on the bed used by Empress Dowager Cixi from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in the museum, also known as the Forbidden City.
Her behavior made a big splash online, with netizens doubtinghow she could stay in the museum after it closed its door.
Later, the woman said shewas actually filmed sleeping at a film studio, not in the museum.
Shan Jixiang, curator of the Palace Museum, said video monitoring showed the woman and three others entering the museum at 14:13 on May 1 and then leavingt at 16:56, suggesting that it was impossible to have broadcast live at night from the complex.
"We strongly condemn acts that arbitrarily fabricate and spread fake information as well as disturb social order," said Shan.
The anchorwoman's behavior, including efforts to hide to avoid checks, could spawn copycat competition and jeopardize the protection of cultural relics, the curator added.
Shan also said the Palace Museum will protect its own interests through relevant laws and regulations while calling on netizens to be alert regarding fake information and contribute to the protection of the facility.
More than a hot tourist attraction, the Palace Museum has drawn huge fans online thanks to innovative marketing and efforts to be more accessible in recent years. Its eye-catching products like animated emperor figurines and earphones in the shape of pearl necklaces worn by high-ranking officials have become best-sellers.
