Popular Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and singer-songwriter Wang Feng, one of the most celebrated couples in China's entertainment industry, announced their decision to divorce on Monday, sparking fevered online discussions.
The news of their divorce quickly surged to the top of the trending list on microblogging platform Sina Weibo. Two-thirds of the top 10 trending topics on the entertainment chart were related to the split, generating over 1.2 billion views.
Many online users have expressed their support, with Zhang receiving mostly words of encouragement for her continued success in the film industry, while some teasing comments regarding Wang's prior divorce experiences appeared on his post.
Simultaneously, the couple released nearly identical statements at 3:42 pm on Monday via Weibo, explaining that their decision was the result of careful consideration and discussions after eight years of marriage.
"In the future, we will continue to co-parent and accompany our children as family, remaining the most trusted parents for them," their statements said.
The statement also emphasized that their decision has no right or wrong, and the separation should not be interpreted as disappointment or betrayal. They reiterated that it was a mutual decision between two consenting adults and expressed their hope for understanding and support from the public. Both stars conveyed their commitment to individual growth and personal development, ensuring that their love for their children remains unchanged despite the divorce.
The couple tied the knot in 2015, welcoming their first daughter in the same year, and Zhang gave birth to their son in 2020.
Notably, there have been multiple divorce rumors in the past, all of which were denied.
According to Tianyancha, a database company, the couple jointly owns a cultural media company with registered capital of 100,000 yuan ($13,700).
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