She could only say two things about China, he said. 'She believed it was a horrible, socialist country, and she knew, from watching Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies, that it was the home of kung fu.'

All her friends in Alvin, Texas, thought she was insane to fly across the world to meet a stranger in such a 'dangerous and terrifying' place. But Ms Brindle took the flight in September last year and in October she married Mr He.

Aside from the cultural divide, they look an unlikely couple, with Mrs He considerably taller and heavier than her new-found spouse.

But having been in constant e-mail contact over the first eight months of their relationship, they felt they not only knew each other, but were made for each other.

'We found we shared many common views towards life and marriage,' Mr He said. 'We both love kids and animals. We are both warm-hearted people.'

But his wife said she was desperately nervous when they first met at the airport, and was particularly concerned that he might not find her attractive. 'I was so nervous because I am overweight and I was not sure if he would accept me. But there he was with a bunch of roses and a very handsome smile.'

Both of them are divorced with families of their own. She has three sons and a daughter back in the United States, while he has a four-year-old son who lives with him.

Mr He said: 'I think what attracts me most to her is the way she loves kids. She is so nice to my son, ZiZi, and he likes her and calls her mummy.'

The marriage is going smoothly and Mrs He is delighted with life. 'My husband is a very sweet, intelligent, good-looking and caring man,' she said. She also has radically changed her view of China, saying that it was totally different to what she expected and had beautiful landscapes and charming people.

The couple and Zizi have now set their eyes on the United States. Mrs He wants to return home to develop her property business and her husband is considering doing a master's degree.

However, the US Immigration and Naturalisation Service has not issued the two Chinese citizens with a visa.

'I thought as an American I could marry whoever I wanted to,' Mrs He said. 'It seems these guys think different.'

They expect the visa to come through soon, though, and will then embark on the next phase of their romantic adventure. 'I've loved China and I've found a great man here,' Mrs He said. 'But I really miss my family, and, I've got to tell you, I really miss American food.'