ByteDance’s founder Zhang Yiming has denied reports claiming he obtained Singaporean citizenship, according to a statement by Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

The clarification follows a report from Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao newspaper, which stated that Zhang, 42, had acquired citizenship. The report, published on Apr. 1, was removed from the media outlet’s website by Apr. 2 morning.

The claim garnered significant attention in China, where the nationality of high-profile entrepreneurs is a sensitive issue.

Under China’s nationality law, citizens must renounce their Chinese citizenship if they acquire citizenship from another country.

Although Zhang has stepped back from his corporate roles at ByteDance, he remains a key decision-maker at the company.

Sources indicate he spends much of his time in Singapore, a location popular among China’s wealthy seeking a balance between the United States and China.

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