ACTRESS Zhang Yuqi, who ended her high-profile relationship with Beijing catering and club businessman Wang Xiaofei just five mo

nths ago, has gotten engaged to internationally acclaimed film director Wang Quan’an.

    Zhang, 25, revealed a photo of her 8.68-carat diamond engagement ring Thursday through her micro blog, which stirred speculation by netizens that the fiance might be director Wang because the two are filming the drama “White Deer Plain” together.

    Wang’s representative confirmed the news through the domestic media Friday, noting that this romance is definitely not hype for the movie. No more details about the marriage have been revealed.

    Zhang, who attracted media attention and started her acting career by starring in Stephen Chow’s 2007 Hong Kong film “CJ7,” began dating Wang Xiaofei, the son of Beijing-based South Beauty Group president Zhang Lan, in August 2009. The relationship made headlines at that time because Wang, 30, was the executive president and heir to South Beauty, which had sales volume of 1 billion yuan (US$149 million) in 2007.

    In October, Taiwan actress Barbie Hsu was reported to have been engaged to Wang Xiaofei, which forced Zhang to confirm her breakup with the young businessman. Hsu and Wang got married last month.

    Wang Quan’an, 46, had a 10-year relationship with actress and muse Yu Nan, which ended in 2009. Unlike many of his contemporaries, who focus on historical blockbusters, Wang’s films have often emphasized China’s rural life, including “Tuya’s Marriage” (2007). Wang’s films have also often focused on female protagonists, including his first four films, all starring Yu.

    Since his debut film, “Lunar Eclipse,” in 1999, Wang has achieved success on the international film festival circuit. Most notably, he was awarded the prestigious Golden Bear at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival for “Tuya’s Marriage.” He also won the Best Script award for “Apart Together” at the 2010 Berlin festival. The award was presented to him on stage by jury member and ex-girlfriend Yu.

    (Cao Zhen)