CNODDT Responds to Rumor of Li Yugang's Converting to Buddhism

Li Yugang during an event [Weibo.com]

The China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater (CNODDT) on December 2 issued a statement on its official Weibo (Chinese version of Twitter), saying the report that singer Li Yugang converted to Buddhism was nonsense.

"As an actor of CNODDT, Li Yugang loves life and has a passion for his work, so that the report about him is nonsense," says the statement.

In the afternoon, Li responded on his Weibo that his Zen meditation was only to calm himself down and that he hopes to offer better performances to the public.

A photo taken by a tourist shows Li folding his hands while wearing traditional Buddhist clothing at a temple in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan Province.

Li is one of the few countertenor singers in China, a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of a female mezzo-soprano.

Ever since auditioning for Star Avenue in 2006, Li has introduced creativity to Chinese folk art. He was known for his fusion of traditional Chinese opera, pop music, classical dance and traditional elements during his stage performances.

(Source: China.com/Translated and edited by Women of China)