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Thu, Nov 23, 2000 - Page 2 News List

Teresa Teng lives on via the Internet

REUTERS , HONG KONG

The late Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng is shown performing in this file photo dated June 1993.

TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO

Fans of the late Taiwan songbird Teresa Teng (鄧麗君) may now keep alive their memories of one of Asia's best loved stars via what is claimed to be the most comprehensive Web site dedicated to her on the Internet.

The Web site, a joint venture between Hong Kong entertainment Internet portal STAREASTnet.com Corp and the Teresa Teng Foundation, is stocked with her biography, photographs, news clippings and rare video footage from her numerous concerts.

"We hope young people will continue to know about Teresa and that memories of her will be kept alive," Jim Teng, the younger brother of the late star, told reporters at her home in the plush Stanley district in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Teng died of a severe asthma attack at age 41 in May 1995 while holidaying in Chiang Mai, Thailand, triggering an outpouring of grief among her legions of fans in Asia and elsewhere.

The singer, whose saccharine songs made her a legend and which are still regularly heard on radio, continues to have a following in Chinese communities all over the world.

The Teresa Teng Foundation threw open Teng's favorite retreat in Stanley to the public in May this year, and has pledged to channel proceeds to charity.

"The house will be closed next May, but if there is enough demand, we will consider reopening it," her brother said.

Nestled high in the hilly Stanley district, Teng's two-storey retreat home commands a spectacular view of the South China Sea.

Within its pastel-colored interior were surprisingly modest furnishings, claimed to have been left untouched since her death.

Almost 3,000 fans visit each week, with many from mainland China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US.

"We get a lot of visitors from mainland China," said housekeeper Cheung Kam Mei, who used to cook for the singer.

The singer was especially popular on mainland China, where she was nicknamed the "Little Deng," thanks to her sharing the same Chinese surname as the late paramount leader Deng Xiaopeng (鄧小平), who was then known as the "Big Deng."

Her repute also gave rise to the popular saying in China: "Deng Xiaopeng rules by day, Teresa Teng rules by night."

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