Salman's verdict features in Chinese media

BEIJING: The court verdict sending movie actor Salman Khan to jail was featured in the news bulletin of China Central Television, the state broadcaster, this evening. The news was also circulated by the official Xinhua to hundreds of media outlets that subscribe to it.

This is significant because news from the Bollywood is seldom covered in the Chinese media although Hindi movies viewed across the country. They are mostly dubbed in Chinese or carry Chinese subtitles.

Khan is particularly popular among the people of Xinjiang province, which borders Central Asia and Pakistan, sources said. He is also popular in Central Asia, and parts of South East Asia including Malaysia and Indonesia. In its New Delhi datelined story, Xinhua said Bollywood actors have come forward to express their sympathy towards Khan, who has been found guilty in a 13-year old hit and run case.