Popular Chinese microblogger Yao Chen sues newspaper

BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Actress and well-known microblogger Yao Chen is suing a newspaper for damaging her reputation, a Beijing court said Wednesday.

Yao is suing the Labor Daily over a March 20 report claiming that she charges 20,000 yuan (3,225 U.S. dollars) per post for companies that wish to be mentioned in one of her microblog posts.

Yao said the allegation is groundless and has tarnished her image. She has asked the newspaper to delete an online edition of the report and apologize publicly.

Yao is the most-followed microblogger on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. Her posts cover topics ranging from social news to her daily life.

The case is being handled by the Chaoyang District People's Court and is under further investigation.

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