Beijing - Multi-millionaire Vivi Nevo has come to his fiancee Zhang Ziyi's defence, after the actress was alleged to have cheated on him with a married businessman.

Yesterday, her lawyer also filed a defamation lawsuit against the publisher of Wan Quan Yu Le weekly, which reported the allegations by a self-professed socialite, said Chinese news websites.

The lawyer said the publisher had been told the story was untrue but ignored his warning and insisted on running the report.

In a rare statement issued yesterday, Nevo said he has followed the rumours 'with great disbelief'.

'I am personally very upset to find these false and vicious rumours in the Chinese media and I completely condemn them. I stand by Ziyi fully in these difficult times. And if the rumours, lies and accusations continue in the print media or online, I will take the necessary legal actions to counter them.

'Ms Zhang's and my relationship is private and personal; the media should not invade our privacy nor continue to spread rumours of a separation.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.