Former assistant of Singaporean actress Eleanor Lee issues an apology to Eleanor on May 21. Photo: Weibo

 
Former assistant of Singaporean actress Eleanor Lee (Li Kaixin) apologized to the actress for fabricating an audio recording, during which Lee was allegedly heard making disparaging remarks about Chinese people, according to a statement issued by the assistant on China's X-like platform Weibo on Wednesday. 

"After receiving criticism and being educated about the issue by the public security authorities, I have come to understand that the malicious editing, fabrication and synthesis of an audio recording falsely portraying Eleanor Lee as 'insulting the Chinese people,' along with the spread of such false information, constitutes a law violation and has caused serious damage to Lee's reputation," said the former assistant Xiaopang in the Weibo post.

"I hereby issue this clarification and extend my sincere apologies to Eleanor. I fully acknowledge my wrongdoing and solemnly pledge never to repeat such behavior. I also earnestly urge the public to stop spreading these rumors immediately and help maintain a clean and healthy online environment," the assistant said. 

In the audio recording released by the assistant, Eleanor was allegedly heard making disparaging remarks about Chinese audiences, including claims that she "came to China only to make money." The recording has sparked widespread controversy and trended on social media.

Meanwhile, Lee also made a clarification on Weibo, saying that the audio recording circulating online of "Eleanor Lee insulting the Chinese people" is in fact an illegally recorded and fabricated piece, created by her former assistant during a labor dispute with the assistant's previous company, according to the investigation by the public security authorities. 

The recording consists of unlawfully recorded fragments of my everyday conversations, which were then edited and synthesized to produce a falsified piece, said Eleanor.

"I was born in Taiwan, China, and returned to the mainland at the age of 16 to study and live. It has now been 10 years. My feelings and stance toward China have never wavered. I have always upheld the one-China principle and would never say anything that insults China or the Chinese people. I sincerely apologize for the recent occupation of public attention and resources. I also earnestly ask everyone to stop spreading false information," said the actress.

On Wednesday, the studio of the actress said via a Weibo post that the studio filed a report with the public security authorities on May 13. Following the police investigation, it has been confirmed that the "Eleanor Lee audio incident" was a malicious rumor fabricated by a former staff member (assistant) due to a personal dispute. 

The studio called for the public not to forward or spread any false audio recordings or other fabricated content and rumors concerning Eleanor Lee. 

Public records show that Lee, born on October 12, 1999, is a Singaporean actress and singer of Chinese descent. She has appeared in several films and television dramas, including The Enchanting Phantom, My Love, Enlighten Me and To the Mountains and Seas.