Deng grandson not US citizen, says ex-leader’s daughter

Deng Rong, daughter of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, on Saturday refuted a recent rumor that says Deng Xiaoping's grandson is a US citizen, after the launch ceremony for TV documentary Stories about the Possessions of Deng Xiaoping, reported China News Service.

Deng Rong said it is true that Deng Zhuodi, Deng Xiaoping's only grandson and her nephew, was born in the US, but that his parents had immediately reported to the Chinese Embassy and applied for a Chinese passport for him. The family also returned to China when the child was about a month old.

"Our family will not get a foreign passport. All our family members are Chinese," Deng Rong stressed.

Deng Xiaoping demanded that all his grandchildren study overseas when they reached the age of 16, in order to widen their horizons and help them to develop independence, said Deng Rong.

"My father hoped that all his children and grandchildren would contribute to our country when they return from their studies. All of the children in our family are now working in China in their own fields," she said.

Deng Zhuodi is currently Party chief of Xin'an township in Baise, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, according to local newspaper Youjiang Daily.

The soon-to-be-aired documentary Stories about the Possessions of Deng Xiaoping tells the life events of Deng Xiaoping by looking through his old personal possessions.

Deng Rong told reporters that she was impressed at the documentary's accurate description of her father's character.

"This is the first time we've ever shown a family picture in front of the camera," she said.