A man who made the extraordinary decision to cryogenically freeze his wife's body after her death has found himself at the centre of public debate after revealing he now has a new girlfriend.
The Promise of Future Resurrection
In 2017, Gui Junmin's world was shattered when his wife, Zhan Wenlian, died from lung cancer at just 49 years old. Driven by love and the hope that future medical advancements might one day bring her back, he took the unprecedented step of having her body cryogenically preserved.
This decision made Zhan China's first cryogenically preserved person. Junmin signed a 30-year contract with the Shandong Yinfeng Life Science Research Institute, which had appealed for volunteers as they experimented with the technology. Remarkably, Zhan was frozen free of charge.
Her body has been stored since 2017 in a 2,000-litre container filled with liquid nitrogen maintained at a frigid -190°C. Junmin's plan was to reunite with his wife when their agreement concluded, hoping that by then, medical science would have found a cure for her terminal cancer.
A Change of Heart and a New Companion
For the first two years following his wife's death, Junmin remained single. However, the challenges of daily life alone became overwhelming. A turning point came when he suffered a severe gout attack that left him immobile for two days.
"If something really happens to a person when they are alone, there is nothing they can do," he explained to Chinese newspaper Southern Weekly. "You could die at home and no one would even know."
This frightening experience changed his perspective. Shortly afterwards, through a mutual friend, he was introduced to Wang Chunxia, who has since become his new girlfriend. Yet Junmin was strikingly candid about the nature of their relationship, describing it as primarily "utilitarian".
"She has not entered my heart yet," he admitted. "I feel a sense of responsibility towards her, but this is a complicated matter. She can never replace my wife. I cannot just forget the past, but I still need to move on with life."
Public Reaction and Personal Resolve
The revelation has ignited fierce discussion on Chinese social media, with many accusing Junmin of 'emotional polygamy'. One concerned commenter questioned: "What will he do in his old age if his wife is resurrected after 30 years? Or, when his wife wakes up, he will no longer be alive, and she will be all alone, facing a new and unfamiliar world."
Others expressed understanding for his predicament, with one person noting: "The past is the past, and the living must continue to live."
When asked about the public criticism, Junmin remained steadfast. "You don't need to worry about me. I was mentally prepared when I accepted the interview. I have a clear conscience, so what is there to fear?"
His new partner, Chunxia, now primarily acts as his carer. Junmin requires assistance even to cross the road after undergoing coronary stent surgery, adding a practical dimension to their relationship that complements the emotional complexities of his situation.
