Society

Single centenarian tries matchmaking by video chat

By Liu Dan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-03-21 11:49

Gong Duruo, 105, from Inner Mongolia in the far north of China traveled all the way to Chengdu in southwest China to realize his two dreams of becoming a university professor and finding a half his age.

Gong Duruo, 105, puts on an earphone in an Internet bar in Chengdu with the help of the local reporter. [huashphoto]

50-year-old Zhang chats with Gong through video in an Internet bar in Xi'an. [huashphoto]

Local media supported Gong in his quest for a bride and 50-year-old, Miss Zhang a hospital worker in Xi'an contacted Chengdu media, hoping to meet with Gong.

"I am moved and greatly appreciate the old man's optimistic attitude to life. I hope to meet this old man", Zhang told a reporter.

With the help of the media in Xi'an and Chengdu, Zhang and Gong went to Internet bars the two cities at two o'clock yesterday afternoon. They met each other online and communicated using a video chat service.

After hearing about the matchmaking, many people working and playing in the net bars of the two cities watched them chatting to each other. Zhang said it made her very nervous and requested them to leave.

After exchanging Internet addresses and QQ numbers, a popular message service in China , they signed off.

"He is a good talker and a sensitive man who looks only 70. Apart from being hard of hearing, he is in a good health. We need to know more about each other before talking about marriage", said Zhang.

"I never expected to meet someone like Zhang with modern technology., I could see that she is an able and virtuous woman. I will keep in contact with her", Gong said.