Chinese celebrity Zheng Shuang's ex-boyfriend Zhang Heng claimed in a Thursday (May 13) Weibo post that he had won sole custody of their two children born from surrogacy in the U.S.

Zheng granted visitation rights

Zhang said the U.S. court had ruled that he was the main caregiver of their two children -- a son and a daughter -- for the past 18 months, therefore granting him custody over them.

In addition, he said he's relieved that Zheng has been granted visitation rights, adding that he believes she will fulfil her responsibility as a mother so their children can "grow up without any regrets".

He also said he is willing to accept whatever punishment meted out by the Chinese court for engaging a surrogacy service.

China outlaws surrogacy, but according to Beijing-based lawyer Zhang Jing, people who pay for surrogacy in countries where such services are allowed will not be punished under Chinese law.

Background

Zheng has received a ton of public backlash since the controversy surfaced, including from her own fans, with many expressing their anger at her for abandoning her children. However, with her name in the headlines, she has also gained several new followers on her social media page.

The controversy has also sparked a fresh wave of discussions on the issue of surrogacy in China.

Zheng was also dropped by many commercial brands she has been working with, including Italian fashion house Prada, Chinese cosmetic brand Chioture, and London jewellery brand Lola Rose.

Awards she received for best actress and favourite TV star have been revoked as well, in addition to being shunned by China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

In a leaked audio previously, Zheng's parents, in a conversation with Zhang, could apparently be heard saying that the children should be given to "a better home" to satisfy families that are unable to have children of their own".

Zheng could also be heard saying: "(The babies) can't be aborted as it's already been seven months, how annoying."

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Top image via Weibo