Recent reports regarding Shenzhen mayor Xu Zongheng, currently under investigation by the Communist Party of China on suspicion of violation of party discipline, have alleged a connection between the mayor and several female stars, including Olympic gymnast Liu Xuan. The allegations remain slightly unclear but imply that Liu Xuan took advantage of her Hong Kong Residential Status to handle “personal business” for Xu Zongheng.

Liu Xuan

The Beijing Active Time Sports Agency acting on Liu Xuan’s behalf just released this formal statement on June 10th:

Recently there have been rumors and reports circulating the web about gymnast Liu Xuan that are completely false. Some are intended as malicious attacks on her character and good name, bringing Ms. Liu herself and her family a great deal of suffering and trauma in their day-to-day lives. As an agency representing Ms. Liu, we act on her behalf in rebutting these attacks libel in defense of her good name and character:

1. The recent reports both online and in print circulated about gymnast Liu Xuan being involved in an investigation of some illegal activity is completely and utterly false.

2. False reports/rumors about Ms. Liu being detained and placed under surveillance are all fabricated; Ms. Liu is in Shanghai at the moment and has attended the public event this afternoon (Jun 10th) there.

3. As an Olympic medalist, gymnast Liu Xuan has always remained active in charity work, given her best in all that she does and is of honest and respectable character. She would never involve herself with anything illegal/unlawful activity.

4. In the false rumors/reports circulated, the titles, wordings of which, and cited sources for such reports were all based on fabrications, and as such have indeed constituted a deliberate and defamatory attack on Ms. Liu Xuan's public image and good name. We've taken action in deliberating with lawyers to investigate this matter further and withhold all rights to pursue a lawful correction of such.

The following statement is paraphrased from a post on Liu Xuan’s blog that appeared on the evening of June 10th.

I just want to comment a bit on the recent rumors/reports circulated about me. As the Chinese old saying goes, 'words spoken by great numbers are enough to melt gold', words/rumors are so powerfully scary and hurtful when they are intended to be. This is not the first time I've faced with defamation to my name and aside from feeling stricken by all the nonsense, I am also overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. Like my mom had told me, things will come to pass eventually, and the truth will come out and clear me; and I will keep in the faith that the law will do justice in protecting my integrity when it all comes to pass.

See this article in its original form here

***

Related Links

Mayor of China's Shenzhen probed: state media
In Pictures:Sydney Olympic Champion Liu Xuan
Olympic Gymnast and Shenzhen Mayor Linked in Scandal?

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.