Academic challenges qigong 'master' to prove his claims

Sima Nan, an academic and researcher known for his disclosure of scientific misconduct in China, said on Tuesday he was waiting for Wang Lin, a self-claimed qigong master, who claimed he can "kill Sima using his qigong within a distance of dozens of meters", Beijing Morning News reported on Wednesday.

Sima said he does not believe in Wang's special power and argued Wang didn't have any evidence to show he possesses such power.

He said if Wang doesn't come to Beijing, he will not rule out the possibility of going to Jiangxi province to meet him in the company of media representatives.

Wang, 61, who lives in Pingxiang, Jiangxi province, was put in spotlight when Jack Ma, chairman and chief executive officer of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, visited him recently.

Wang has also had his photo taken with celebrities, including film stars Jet Li, Zhao Wei, Li Bingbing and Li Yapeng, and some government officials.

It has been reported that Wang is the richest man in his hometown, owning a five-story villa and four luxury cars.