Charity Hospital Faces Closure Over Rent Debt

Beijing SmileAngel Children's Hospital, a charity founded by actor Li Yapeng, is at risk of closure with over 26 million yuan in accumulated unpaid rent and fees as of late 2025. Court documents reveal the hospital ceased full rent payments in January 2022, leading to a verdict for eviction and debt settlement, which was upheld on appeal in July. Despite the financial crisis, the hospital continues to provide critical medical services, including cleft lip and palate surgeries, to children.

Since its establishment in 2012, SmileAngel has completed over 7,000 funded surgeries. Actor Li Yapeng's recent public appeal has spurred over 340,000 individuals to donate more than 23 million yuan to the Smile Angel Foundation. However, these charitable funds are legally designated for surgeries and cannot be redirected to pay the hospital's rent or operational debts, highlighting a common challenge for nonprofit sustainability without consistent support.

Experts emphasize that nonprofit models relying solely on charity face long-term sustainability issues and stress the importance of government support for essential social services. The hospital is exploring potential solutions with its landlord, including relocation, which is estimated to cost at least 30 million yuan. Meanwhile, a Jiangsu province business has offered a facility, potentially for a branch or services.