In an impromptu interview in the street last Saturday afternoon, the 33-year-old told Apple Daily she was just taking a break in Tokyo. "I should marry in five years' time. It could be one year, or two, three years later," the Taiwan-born Hong Kong-based actress said.

But questions remain about the hush-hush party she and Chu, 30, were said to have held that evening. They have been linked since they acted in The Tokyo Trial, a 2006 film on the World War II trials.

According to Apple Daily, their friends were asked to a dinner in Tokyo on Saturday, but not told of the place.

Lin's friend, jewellery designer Cindy Chao, also flew to Japan with a three-carat diamond ring for her, the report said.

When asked if it was a wedding band for Lin, Chao paused before saying: "It's a belated birthday gift. She was filming in Beijing on her birthday in October last year and I couldn't give it to her in time."

Asked about the expensive gift, Chao said: "Friendship is priceless." A report on China's Sina portal quoted a source as saying the party could have been for Chu, whose birthday was last Friday.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jan 19, 2009.