JD.com boss denies 30 million break-up fee

Jingdong, China's major online retailer, has issued a statement via its microblog denying reports that its founder Liu Qiangdong paid 30 million yuan to his girlfriend Zhang Zetian, also known as "Milk Tea Sister", after the couple's break-up.

The move came after Liu deleted the post indicating his affection for Zhang, while Zhang deleted all posts on her mircoblog, sparking speculation that the couple has broken up.

The statement says Liu thanks the public for their concern, while denies rumors about the break-up fee and speculation that the break-up is related to ongoing investigations.

Earlier, it was reported online that Zhang's father, Zhang Lihou, the director of a Nanjing-based investment company is under investigation regarding the Yang Weize case.

Yang, Party Chief of Nanjing- the capital of Jiangsu province, is now being investigated by authorities for suspected "serious violations of discipline" and laws.

Zhang Lihou and his company have denied the reports, saying no investigation has been conducted on him.

Zhang Zetian, born in 1993, become popular after a photo showing her holding a cup of milk tea went viral online in 2009.

She has been known as the "Milk Tea Sister" since.

Liu Qiangdong confirmed their relationship in April last year via his mircoblog as new photos emerged online showing the couple holding hands and hugging in New York City.

The couple was reportedly met in New York-based Columbia University.

Zhang, a junior student at Tsinghua University and an exchange student at Columbia University, has just finished her internship with Microsoft Research Technology Center.