Celebrity apologizes after comments cause stir

A female celebrity who said "699 yuan ($98) is not enough for a pair of socks" during a livestreaming session on Sunday has apologized for her comments.

The controversial remarks came during a livestreamed marketing session on Sunday, where Zhang Yuqi was trying to sell wool products.

Zhang, who was a guest, made the provocative claim after the host of the session announced the price of a wool quilt.

Related topics were soon trending on Sina Weibo, with many criticizing her for flaunting her wealth.

A netizen named Chu Shao Zhu commented: "Many people's living expenses for half a month are 699 yuan." Another, Bie Qiang Mei Gui, said: "Rich and arrogant."

On Sunday afternoon, Zhang posted on her Weibo account amid the torrent of criticism. She said she was sorry she didn't make herself clear during the livestream, resulting in the misunderstanding of the public.

She added she meant even some wool socks are priced higher than 699 yuan, meaning the wool products on sale had comparably lower prices.

She also thanked the public for pointing out her mistake.

After her clarification, many weren't buying it. A netizen named Bie Qiang Mei Gui said: "She was arrogant and didn't realize it." IAM 42 commented: "we are not living in the same world."

This was not the first time Zhang's remarks have created a buzz. She once wrote on her social media account: "Don't buy diamonds under one karat. Diamonds under one karat are called splints, and splints are worthless."