Gong Li at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, December 3, 2008. [sina.com.cn]

Actress Gong Li got won advertising contract from China's second-largest home appliance maker Midea Group, it was announced at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

A series of commercials were screened at the conference featuring Gong Li as a sexy housewife using Midea's small electric appliances such as water machines, bean milk makers and humidifiers.

"I spent four days shooting the advertisements. It was a new acting experience as most of the time, I had to perform with something that didn't really exist," said Gong Li, "It's the first time I'm seeing the advertisements, and I think they are beautiful."

Gong Li at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, December 3, 2008. [Xinhua]

"In fact, I make bean milk every morning when I'm at home," she said.

This is the fourth time the 43-year-old star has worked with the Chinese white goods giant. She first appeared as the face of Midea in 1992 in a commercial for its air-conditioner.

The star also talked about the upcoming Hollywood movie "Shanghai", which she said will premiere next February. In the movie, she plays an upper-class Shanghai woman in the 1940s.

"I haven't played such a role before," she said. "Although the story happened in China, it was infused with a Hollywood style."

Gong Li also revealed that her costumes in the movie were very special. "Again, Cheong-sams, but in a totally different design, which is more international."

(CRI December 3, 2008)