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Luo Yuanpin, left, bears a striking resemblance to Russian President Vladimir Putin, right. Photo: Handout

China’s Putin lookalike says he’s still looking for love

Luo Yuanpin may be the spitting image of the Russian leader, but the 54-year-old bachelor says he’s just a simple man in search of a bride

A Chinese farmer who bears an uncanny resemblance to Russian President Vladimir Putin is back in the media spotlight.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow for talks with the “real” Putin on Monday, Luo Yuanpin, 54, who lives in a remote village in Feixi county, central China’s Anhui province, once again found his image splashed across cyberspace. And it’s quite a likeness.

With his high hairline and broad forehead, slender nose and wide, thin-lipped mouth, Luo bears far more than a passing resemblance to one of the world’s most powerful men.

Even more unlikely, particularly for a Chinese, is that Luo has pale blue eyes just like his lookalike, and at 1.74m tall, the two men are exactly the same height.

Unfortunately for Luo, being the spitting mage of a wealthy Russian statesman is no guarantee of fame, fortune or even family.

The farmer from a remote village in central China enjoys his time on a TV show. Photo: Handout

The farmer, who came to the attention of the world’s media in 2011, said that despite appearing on TV and websites, and in countless newspapers and magazines, it hasn’t changed him.

It certainly hasn’t made him rich.

Though it was reported he was once paid 5,000 yuan (US$750) to appear on a television show – on which he was referred to as “Brother Putin” – he told the Global Times that as much as would love to meet a woman and get married he could never afford to do so.

So Luo continues to lead the simple life of a middle-aged bachelor. Though at least he’s a celebrity in his own village.

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