Chinese rising actress Zhang Ziyi took the top position of this year's Forbes China Celebrity List, following NBA star Yao Ming.

After gaining success on the Chinese mainland for her roles in martial-arts films Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero and House of Flying, Zhang Ziyi is now painting her name in Hollywood by staring in Steven Spielberg's Memoirs of a Geisha, which is said to be a contender for next year's Oscars. 

Zhang Ziyi earned a total of 35 million yuan this year while Yao Ming took in 150 million yuan. Olympic champion Liu Xiang lept from 90th to third in this year's tally earning 23 million yuan.
   
Chinese mainland actress Vicky Zhao went the 4th with 15 million yuan and Hong Kong singer-actress Faye Wong came 5th.

A total of 76 artists, directors, Musicians, television hosts and models were included in the list. It included directors Zhang Yimou and Feng Xiaogang, television host Li Yong and music group Twelve Girls Band.

(CRI March 14, 2005)