A BEIJING court held a pretrial conference for a high-profile divorce case involving Chinese actor Wang Baoqiang on Tuesday, aiming to clarify focus and evidence in the high-profile dispute.

    The conference is to understand appeals and opinions of the two parties, collect evidence and summarize the focus of the case, in accordance with Chinese Civil Procedure Law. It means the formal trial will come soon.

    Wang, 32, who rose to fame in 2003 and is known for his roles in comedy and kung-fu films, appeared in the Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Court around 1:15 p.m., getting out of a red car and wearing black clothes and sunglasses.

    Ma Rong, his wife, who was not present, has applied for the court to hear the case in private.

    The case has made media headlines and triggered heated discussions in public since Wang made a “divorce announcement” on his micro blog account Aug. 14, claiming his wife had an improper relationship with his agent Song Zhe, hid and transferred property and “hurt his family members.”

    However on Aug. 17, the court accepted a defamation case brought by Ma. At 4 p.m. Tuesday, the court also held a pretrial conference for the defamation case. (China Daily)