Dong Qing, a broadcast presenter with China Central Television, has denied rumors that she is resigning from the broadcaster and confirmed she has applied for a one-year leave to study at the University of Southern California as a visiting scholar.

"Everybody has some distance to reach a better self. The competition in the television industry is fierce, and I really need to recharge myself with new knowledge through further learning," Dong was quoted by West China Metropolis Daily as saying on Tuesday.

"No matter who you are or how old you are, everybody should have a pursuit in life. However, I didn't resign from CCTV, and I will come back to the stage for sure."