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Pop star laments quarrel with immigration officer

Zeng Yike. (File photo: ifeng.com)

Pop singer Zeng Yike apologized on Weibo on Wednesday for her inappropriate words and deeds toward a Chinese immigration inspection officer.

"I cannot believe that I was so emotional at the time. I have to say sorry to everybody, and I also want to apologize to the officer face-to-face if I get a chance," she wrote in the post, adding that she would try her best to accept the consequences of her actions.

The 29-year-old said in a Weibo post on Monday that she was selected by an immigration inspection officer upon returning to China at Terminal 3 of the Beijing International Capital Airport.

According to Zeng's post, she was ordered to take off her hat and was then taken to an office for a video recording and was rudely questioned by a male officer, though she had already passed the self-service inspection on a machine.

A screen grab of Zeng Yike's Weibo account

Furious, Zeng attached pictures of the officer, including his name tag, on which there was the officer's personal information. She also wrote in the post: "This unreasonable guy who abused his power and detained me for no reason should be severely punished! He does have power, but loses face for all the working staff at the airport."

The Beijing immigration inspection station carried out an investigation immediately and posted the findings on Weibo on Wednesday morning, saying that the officer ordered Zeng twice to take off her hat but that the singer ignored both requests and said insulting words to the officer when the latter requested a double check of her identity.

Higher-level officers finally let Zeng go after criticizing her, as the incident did not warrant any severe consequences. However, for Zeng's posting of photos of the officer's personal information, which left an adverse effect on the officer, the inspection station would reserve the right to pursue legal action, the inspection station said in the post.

The station also reminded the public that according to the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, Chinese citizens should cooperate with immigration inspection by taking off their hats, sunglasses or face masks when entering or exiting the country.

Many netizens expressed support for the officer, saying that Zeng's misuse of her influence as a pop star was improper.

After the incident, she said she will not show up at the Strawberry Music Festival in Changsha, Hunan province, to be held June 22 to 23.

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(Produced by Wang Xiangyu; text from China Daily)