Dong Mingzhu, the chairwoman and president of major Chinese air conditioner and appliance maker Zhuhai Gree Group Co. Ltd., has been relieved of her duties as chairwoman, the company stated in response to a notice that had circulated and caused online stirs on Friday.

The company said that Dong, based on the relevant provisions of the state and her own will, has resigned from the post of chairwoman of the Gree Group. “She continues to serve as chairwoman and president of Gree Electric Appliances Inc of Zhuhai, focusing on promotion of the development of Gree’s electrical appliances,” the company said, adding that “this is a normal job change.”

Dong is well known in China as being an ultra-confident woman who likes to appear on her company’s own advertisements, and firmly believes in China’s ability to produce quality electrical home appliances. She has featured on Fortune's list of the world’s 50 most powerful business women. Dong ranked 11th on the list in 2016, making her the highest Chinese woman in the rankings. She has been named on the list a total of 10 times.

Gree Electric Appliances Inc. was formally announced as the “Official Supplier” to the Rio Olympic Games, after winning contracts for several air-conditioning projects in key competition venues and support facilities.

Zhuhai Gree Group Co. Ltd. operates as a diversified investment holding company. It invests in the manufacturing of household appliances, tourism, real estate development, petrochemical industry and port logistics businesses.

‍The Chinese language version of Fortune magazine recently released the list of "China's Most Admired Companies" of 2016, with Gree Electric Appliances Inc. coming in at No.8 on the list.

The news of Dong's departure immediately came to netizens’ attention, with a hashtag related to the news receiving nearly one million views in just several hours, with many people inspired to comment on the story. Weibo user @Wangyingrun said that Gree is a state-owned enterprise, and Dong is over-age, thus it is natural to see her position change. Sohu Finance also commented on the news, saying her departure should work out well for her, because of Gree Appliances’ future plans to allow employees to hold company shares. Previously as chairwoman of the Gree group, Dong was unable to own shares in the company.