Outrage over Chinese popstar, 24, who is 'dating 12-year-old Canadian model'

• Zhang Muyi, 24, has publicly declared his love for child model half his age
• Pop star was hired as Akama Miki's music coach when she was just eight-years-old
• Muyi said he was 'counting down' until Miki turned 16 in a post on the model's social networking site

Love affairs between musicians and models are a common occurrence in the showbiz world.
But 24-year-old Chinese pop star Zhang Muyi has caused controversy after publicly declaring his love for a baby-faced model who is just 12-years-old.
Despite the fact that Canada-based Akama Miki is not yet in her teens, the pair have exchanged romantic messages on Sina Weibo, a Chinese social networking site.

Controversy: Model Akama Miki, 12, left, is seen with 24-year-old rumoured boyfriend Zhang Muyi, right, in a music video for a duet recorded by the pair

Shortly after she turned 12 Miki, who has 500,000 followers on the site, wrote on the pop star's page: 'Wait until I'm old enough to marry you, and then I'm going to say "I do".'
Muyi, who is said to have been hired as the model's music coach when she was eight-years-old, replied: 'I simply can't wait for these next four birthdays of yours to pass, I'm counting down each one.'

Rumours: The 12-year-old model has been receiving music lessons from Zhang Muyi since she was eight-years-old

Publicity stunt? 'All we can do is persevere with our love, our life, and being together' 24-year-old Zhang Muyi has said

'Romance': Model Akama Miki and pop star Zhang Muyi have recorded duets

The pair have recorded duets, appeared together in music videos, and regularly post photos of themselves online.
As speculation surrounding Miki and Muyi's relationship grew following their posts on Weibo the pair began trending on Twitter, with some commentators branding the rumoured romance 'gross', while others dismissed it as a publicity stunt.
The furore prompted singer Muyi to write this response on his Weibo page: 'There's nothing we can do about this, nor do we feel the need to prove anything to these people.
'All we can do is continue to persevere with our love, our life, and being together.'