NGO head denies emigration rumors

The renowned head of a major non-governmental organization refuted online rumors that she had emigrated, saying her Chinese nationality has not changed.

Zhang Haidi, chairwoman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), said on Wednesday evening that some online rumors about her nationality have hurt her reputation.

"They said that I emigrated to Germany or Japan, with lots of concocted stories," she said in her blog. "They are absurd and ridiculous."

Some netizens said on their micro blogs that she had emigrated to Japan, and that her sister, a company manager, managed to win many CDPF construction-project bids with her help.

Zhang said she attended the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China as a delegate early this month, and it is impossible for a foreigner to attend the congress.

However, she did not respond to questions about whether her sister won contraction projects from the CDPF with her help.

Zhang, who had her legs amputated when she was 5 after contracting a disease, has been considered an inspiration to many Chinese for her optimistic and self-sufficient attitude toward life. Her story is included in textbooks for primary school students.