CHINESE actress Zhang Ziyi has sued Hong Kong’s leading newspaper the Apple Daily and its sister weekly Next Magazine over reports that she prostituted herself with senior Chinese officials.

    Zhang signed the suit presented to the Hong Kong High Court on Monday, saying the reports were “seriously defamatory” and “false.”

    An article in the Apple Daily on May 29 said Zhang “is a prostitute” and had sex with top Chinese officials and “unnamed rich persons,” and had accrued a fortune worth 700 million yuan (US$110 million) from these illicit liaisons over 10 years.

    “The plaintiff has been subjected to public odium, hatred, contempt or ridicule,” the suit signed by the actress said, adding it would seek unspecified damages.

    “The plaintiff’s public image has also been seriously and continuously undermined, which has caused and will continue to cause loss and damage to her profession and career.”

    The Apple Daily, a Chinese-language newspaper known for racy celebrity gossip, did not reply to requests for comment on the suit.

    The story was removed from the newspaper’s Web site after Zhang threatened to sue last month.

    Zhang also denied The Apple Daily’s assertion that she was now under investigation by Chinese authorities and was barred from leaving China.

    The Apple Daily and Next Magazine are both owned by Hong Kong entrepreneur Jimmy Lai’s Next Media.

    The Apple Daily Editor-in-Chief Cheung Kim-hung and Next Magazine’s Chief Editor Li Chi-ho were also named as defendants in the suit.

    A spokesman for the actress, whose other films include “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Rush Hour 2,” said in a post on Chinese social media that Zhang “will not tolerate the recent irresponsible media rumors.”

    “The legal proceedings mean that we have started down the road to maintaining her legal rights and interests. Justice can be expected soon,” the spokesman said.(SD-Agencies)