A man in China has sparked widespread online debate after allegedly holding his wedding reception with one woman while hosting a 100-day celebration for his child with another woman at the same restaurant on the same day.
The incident reportedly took place on October 9 in Liupanshui, Guizhou province, with the wedding reception held downstairs and the baby’s celebration taking place upstairs.
Photos circulating online showed the two events being held at the same venue, prompting netizens to question whether the man could be guilty of bigamy.
According to Chinese media reports, the restaurant confirmed that both banquets had taken place. However, its staff said the two families had booked their respective events separately and that the venue was unaware of the situation beforehand.
The two parties reportedly encountered each other at the restaurant, resulting in a dispute. Staff subsequently called the police, although both banquets eventually went ahead and the bills were settled.
Wedding downstairs, baby celebration upstairs
Images shared online showed the restaurant’s ground floor decorated for a wedding, with a display bearing the words “We’re Married” alongside the surnames Wu and Kong and photographs of the bride and groom.
Meanwhile, the venue’s upper floor was decorated for a baby’s 100-day celebration, with colourful illustrations of balloons, flowers and a cartoon sun.
The display featured the message: “Today marks 100 days for our baby XX, and 1,314 days since Daddy and Mommy got together.”
It also thanked guests for sharing in the family’s happiness and was signed with the surnames Wu and Lin.
The unusual arrangement quickly attracted attention online, with some netizens comparing the situation to a television drama, while others questioned how a man could hold a wedding and his child’s celebration with another woman at the same venue.
Authorities say the case does not constitute bigamy
On October 12, the Hongqiao branch of the Liupanshui Public Security Bureau told Hongxing News that authorities were aware of the incident and were coordinating their response.
Officials in Liupanshui’s Zhongshan district subsequently provided further details.
According to information obtained by reporters from official sources, the man, identified as Wu Moufeng, had legally registered his marriage with Kong Mouhan.
Although Wu and his former girlfriend, identified as Lin, have a child together, they were never legally married.
Authorities said the circumstances therefore did not constitute bigamy. They added that Wu and Lin were involved in a financial dispute, which multiple departments were coordinating to address.
Lawyers explain the legal position
Shaanxi Hengda Law Firm senior partner and public-interest lawyer Zhao Liangshan said China’s bigamy laws generally cover two situations: a person marrying someone else while already legally married, or a married person living with another partner as husband and wife.
In this case, Zhao said Wu had registered his marriage only with his current wife, Kong.
Although he had a child with Lin and the pair held a 100-day celebration, there was no marriage registration between them and no evidence that they had lived together long-term while presenting themselves as husband and wife.
On that basis, Zhao said the reported circumstances did not meet the legal requirements for a bigamy offence.
However, he stressed that the absence of a criminal offence did not mean Wu had no legal responsibilities.
Under China’s Civil Code, Wu remains legally obligated to provide financial support for his child born outside marriage.
Zhao added that Kong could seek divorce compensation if she decided to file for divorce.
Fu Jian, director of Henan Zejin Law Firm, shared a similar assessment, saying that holding a baby’s 100-day celebration did not, by itself, establish that Wu and Lin were living together as a married couple.
Nevertheless, Fu said the alleged conduct violated public morals. He added that Kong could argue Wu was at fault in divorce proceedings and seek compensation, while any financial dispute between Wu and Lin could be resolved through civil litigation.
As of the latest reports, authorities were continuing to coordinate their response to the matter.
The incident has fuelled debate over the difference between criminal liability and personal responsibility, particularly when children and existing relationships are involved.
