The heightened security at this press conference at the Grand Hyatt Singapore hotel on Sunday was because Canadian-born actor Edison Chen, 28, had received death threats.

He said: 'I would be lying if I said I was not afraid, but I have to continue with my life. I just hope people will welcome me and welcome the movie.' He was in town to promote The Sniper, which opens here on Thursday.

On March 11 and 12, two letters were sent separately to Hong Kong's Cable TV station and tabloid Apple Daily's publisher Next Media threatening him with death. Both letters were accompanied by bullets, according to reports.

Chen looked sombre on Sunday, but smiled occasionally at comments by director Dante Lam, 45, and Taiwanese singer-actor Richie Jen, 42.

This was Chen's second public appearance after visiting Singapore in February to attend the launch of Carl's Jr's Angus Beef Thickburger, as well as to attend sports label Adidas' 60th anniversary party.

The actor has not appeared in public in Hong Kong since Feb 21 last year, when he apologised for a sex photo scandal. More than 400 explicit pictures of him and his partners, including Hong Kong actresses Gillian Chung and Cecilia Cheung, were leaked online.

Unlike his last visit here, which caused a tabloid media frenzy, this press conference was relatively tame. The actor said: 'Actually, I would like to thank Singapore for welcoming me. I had previously said in Hong Kong that I would bow out of showbusiness indefinitely, but I will still fulfil my prior commitments.'

Apart from the backlash from the sex photo scandal, Chen has also had to deal with his father Edward Chen, 56, declaring bankruptcy last month. Chen said he gave his father some financial support, adding: 'I love my family and where I can help, I would.'

The Sniper has been seen by some as a comeback vehicle, but Chen is unsure: 'I hope to work in showbiz again, but I will take things slow and take in the suggestions from my boss, my manager and my friends as to when I should make a return.'

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