bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Yating Yang

An 86-year-old man in China has married his first love, a fellow former student at Peking University, decades after they met.
The wedding sparked widespread interest, with the elderly couple receiving heartfelt blessings from across the Chinese online community.
The groom, Zhou Guilin, from Yiyang city in Hunan province, central China, arranged the nuptials for April 14.
The affection between the couple was evident, and the wedding quickly became a sensation on mainland social media.
Zhou had been a student of law at Peking University, one of the most prestigious universities in China.

He later founded Gaoping Middle School in his hometown and served as its first principal, dedicating his life to education.
His 81-year-old bride, Yang Xiugui, who also studied at Peking University, once shared a youthful and beautiful love with Zhou during their student days.
Despite their deep connection at that time, they went their separate ways and spent decades apart.
Teachers working at Zhou’s school recounted to BaiLu Video that Zhou and Yang had each established families after parting.
It was not until their spouses passed away that the two reconnected and found joy in the other’s company once again.
Being reunited invigorated them and so the couple decided to spend their remaining years together, formalising their union with a wedding.
According to trending online videos, the ceremony was simple but adorned with many thoughtful decorations.
There were heartfelt poems dotted around the venue, such as,“For sixty years, like swallows parting ways, no brocade book could capture the depth of our yearning. A century of sincere hopes, and now by the red candlelight, we inscribe our first love anew.”

During the festivities, the bride joyously danced, sang and played the drums, adding to the lively atmosphere of the group that had gathered to celebrate.
A friend of the couple, surnamed Chen, revealed that the intimate banquet comprised just three tables, attended only by close friends and relatives – a small reception by traditional Chinese standards.
The story resonated deeply with many people online, who regarded it as a celebration of enduring love and a fulfilled life.
“This is true love. Even at his age, he made sure to welcome the bride with liveliness, not just quietly together. Nowadays, many who are marrying aren’t willing to put in such effort,” one person said.
“It’s quite blissful. At this age, to fulfil a lifelong yearning, I send my blessings,” said another.
“Their life has come full circle – this is what true fulfilment looks like,” wrote a third.


China ‘most beautiful’ Shaolin-trained bodyguard in spotlight during French president visit

China public servants use face masks to bypass facial recognition to help each other skip work

China prankster breaks girlfriend’s bone by accident, then fakes car crash for insurance money

China woman arrested for stealing fish bone waste to feed restaurant staff and customers

Trending in China

Chinese man, 86, marries first love in touching, lively ceremony decades after they dated at Peking University

A Chinese couple in their 80s who fell in love at university decades ago before going their separate ways have reunited and been married in a joyful wedding ceremony. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

  A large crowd turned out to welcome the happy couple to the wedding ceremony. Photo: Haokan

The 81-year-old bride, Yang Xiugui, is clearly enjoying the day, proudly watched by her husband. Photo: Haokan

China murder fugitive lives secret double life as monk in temple, has wife and 2 children, snared after 23 years on the run

A fugitive in China, wanted for the murder of two people 23 years ago, has been caught by police who discovered that he has been living a bizarre double life as a man of religion. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/The Paper

On the run killer Li surrounded the temple he was living in with surveillance cameras and wore a disguise when in public. Photo: The Paper

Li’s life on the run came to an end when police raided his home while he was asleep. Photo: The Paper

600 children raised by China monk, known as ‘Papa Wu’, who helps desperate single mothers, turns temple into loving home

A wealthy businessman-turned-monk in China, known as “Papa Wu”, has given sanctuary to 600 children of desperate single mothers by turning a temple into a loving home. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/YouTube

Children playing at the temple. They are provided with round-the-clock love and care. Photo: Douyin

Papa Wu’s operation is funded mainly by donations, but also from cash earned by his work as a devout Buddhist. Photo: Douyin

‘Makes me sick’: China professor  verbally abuses students, makes them clean flat, buy breakfast, help daughter cheat in exams

A professor in China has been suspended after being accused of treating her students “like slaves”. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications

The professor’s behaviour has left many students needing psychological counselling. Photo: Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications

A rash of similar incidents has led to calls for systemic changes to the power relationship between tutors and students. Photo: Shutterstock

What is Zen slap therapy? Tradition-based China remedy claims to relieve stress, release negative energy, some smell a scam

A traditional Chinese medicine-based treatment called Zen slap is being taken up by more and more people in China. The Post explains what it is and addresses the fears of some that it could be a scam. Photo: SCMP composite/Bilibili/Weibo

Practitioners say the slaps it entails must be hard and loud to make Zen slap therapy effective. Photo: Handout

Chinese actress Zhou Xun said the therapy helped her process the grief she felt over the death of her grandmother. Photo: Handout

Racy China esports cafes where  servers in French maid outfits kneel to feed guests, ‘derogatory to women’s dignity’

Esports cafes in China have been ordered to stop providing services which are “derogatory to the dignity” of women and which sexualise the workplace. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu

In some cafes the severs kneel down to serve male customers food and drink. Photo: Weibo/CCTV

In recent years the mainland authorities have been cracking down on venues which provide such services. Photo: AFP

News

People & Culture

Couple share romance as students then, go their separate ways
Reunite decades later, find joy together again and have fun-filled wedding


A Chinese couple in their 80s who were once university sweethearts, but parted decades ago, have fallen in love all over again and celebrated a joyful wedding ceremony.


China society

China's ageing population

Chinese man, 86, marries first love in touching, lively ceremony decades after they dated at Peking University

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Couple share romance as students then, go their separate ways Reunite decades later, find joy together again and have fun-filled wedding

Couple share romance as students then, go their separate ways

Reunite decades later, find joy together again and have fun-filled wedding