Photo: Screenshot from website

Following claims circulating online about a temple in Fengdu county, Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality containing the figurine of a malevolent deity from Japan, the local authorities said in a notice Wednesday that the suspected figurine is a common handicraft ornament that was placed in the temple in late July and had been mistaken for a "bodhisattva" by an elderly resident.

A video went viral on Chinese social media platforms on Tuesday, in which a tourist could be heard shouting to staff members after discovering a figurine shaped like a malevolent deity from Japan at the temple.  

The tourist exclaimed angrily, "This is clearly a manifestation of cultural invasion. It should be immediately taken out and burned, otherwise I will report you right away."

The Fengdu county ethnic and religious affairs committee responded to the issue on Wednesday, saying that they have attached great importance to the matter and immediately formed a joint investigation team to conduct a thorough inquiry.

The ornament has been taken down and burned, the notice said. Also, other temples in the county have been inspected and no illegal figurines were found. 

The ancient temple is located about 300 meters north of the Fengdu Yangtze River Bridge on the southern bank of the river. Due to its small size and dilapidated condition, the temple is often overlooked by local people.