Partying Chinese group went to multiple venues on night of alleged attack

A CHINESE movie star ­accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a Sydney hotel ­allegedly partied with her and a film crew at an underground karaoke bar.

The celebrations before the alleged sexual assault included a singing session at Gala KTV Karaoke Club on Bathurst St, Sydney.

A CHINESE movie star is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in an exclusive Sydney hotel after allegedly partying with her and a film crew at an underground karaoke bar.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that actor Yunxiang Gao — dubbed the “Hugh Jackman of China” — had dinner with his alleged victim at the Red Chilli Sichuan restaurant in Chinatown followed by a night of singing and drinking at the Gala KTV Karaoke Club on Bathurst Street in Sydney.

The Yunxiang Gao case has created enormous interest among Chinese media. Picture: Richard Dobson

Gao — along with producer Jim Wang — are accused of sexually assaulting the 36-year-old woman in room 1618 at the Shangri-La in The Rocks in the early hours of March 27 this year.

But before the alleged sexual assault Gao, Wang and the woman had celebrated with a production crew during a “wrap-up party” for the television series Love in Aranya which was recently filmed in Sydney.

It is understood the victim had worked on the production and had little interaction with Gao before the alleged sexual assault.

The group dined on the evening at the Red Chilli restaurant in Chinatown.

Yunxiang Gao has referred to himself as the Hugh Jackman of China.

Yesterday Gao’s case was mentioned in Sydney’s Central Local Court where more than two dozen Chinese journalists jostled for seats in the courtroom.

During the brief mention Gao’s legal team — solicitors Martin Ricci and Warwick Korn- told the court they had issued a series of subpoenas to every venue the “production party” had been to including The Blue Angel restaurant, Kobe BBQ restaurant, the Red Chilli restaurant and the karaoke bar.

Police allege Gao and Wang, both 35, sexually assaulted the woman in Wang’s hotel room in the early hours of March 27.

Gao has pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault in company.

Warwick Korn and Martin Ricci are the lawyers for accused sexual assault defendant and Chinese movie star Yunxiang Gao and producer Jing Wang. Picture: Richard Dobson.

Partying continued on the night at The Blue Angel Restaurant, East Sydney.

During a bail application for Gao last month a court heard that the victim suffered from severe bruising and that police had found blood and semen in the hotel room.

His barrister at the time argued his client was not a flight risk.

“It would be, in effect, Hugh Jackman committing an offence in China and fleeing,” , defence barrister Ian Lloyd, QC, said.

But despite his arguments Magistrate Sharon Freund formally refused bail in April after stating that the police allegations made for a “very sobering read”.

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According to Chinese media Gao is a small fish in the movie world compared to his super star wife, Chinese actress Xuan Dong whom he married in 2011.

Following his arrest Xuan — released a statement to Chinese media saying she believed her husband was innocent.

“Sorry for making everyone worry. I believe in him,” she said.

Gao has appeared in films Drug War, The Midas Touch and My Other Home.

The case returns to court in June.