Kai-Fu Lee [photo/people.com.cn]

Kai-Fu Lee, an icon of China's entrepreneurial spirit, founder and CEO of Innovation Works and former president of Google China, has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

Both he and co-founder of Innovation Works Wang Zhaohui confirmed the news.

Li's latest Weibo post said “although lymph cancer is serious and family and friends are concerned, this is life. It comes as a surprise, but I should face it calmly. Pain is part of life, I will face the ups and downs of life with a more positive attitude.”

In 2009, Lee left the company to start his own Innovation Works, an angel investing firm that offers financial and logistical support for young entrepreneurs in the internet industry.