Controversial Beijing professor Wu Danhong on Tuesday rejected accusations made by a female student that the pair had an affair amid a bitter legal battle involving the duo.
Zhang Weili, a postgraduate student at China University of Political Science and Law, claimed she had an affair with Wu, an associate law professor at the university, in a Sina Weibo post on Monday.
Wu made headlines in July 2012 after engaging in a well-publicized feud with rival bloggers. The law professor is also a polarizing figure online due to his pro-government commentary made under the name "Wu Fatian."
Zhang, 26, made the remarks after Wu, 34, filed a lawsuit against her to recoup hundreds of thousands of yuan he loaned to her. Wu filed the case in January using his mother's name, Luo Haihua.
"Wu is seeking 400,000 yuan ($64,700) he loaned Zhang plus 100,000 yuan in interest," said You Wenjing, the judge to preside over the case at Changping District Court.
The first hearing of the case is slated for May 6.
Zhang told the Global Times that she and Wu began their two-year relationship shortly after the pair met in April 2010. She also claimed Wu, who is married, had multiple affairs with staff and students at the university.
Zhang admitted she borrowed money from Wu and confirmed the total amount was 400,000 yuan, of which she has repaid 130,000 yuan. A contract detailing the loan listed the lender as Wu's mother.
Wu denied Zhang's accusation when contacted by the Global Times, saying he had clarified his stance on the alleged affair and lawsuit on his blog.
Wu denied the affair in a Tuesday blog entry, claiming Zhang had manipulated him. "I'll sue [Zhang] for harming my reputation and seek justice after the debt dispute is finalized," he wrote.
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