BEIJING: The listed requirements for a potential girlfriend laid out by an associate professor at a prestigious university in China have gone viral, with many people describing his actions as being like “selecting an imperial concubine”.
Internet users have been abuzz about the criteria for a girlfriend set by a scholar surnamed Lou from the School of Marxism at Zhejiang University in eastern China since early March, as reported by Chao News.
In a post released on a blind date online chat room, Lou, 35, first introduced himself as being 175cm tall, 70kg in weight, with a PhD degree from a top Chinese university and having an annual income of more than one million yuan (US$140,000).
He also said his hobbies were sport and financial investments, adding that he was the only child of his parents while his family, who live in Yiwu, Zhejiang, is well-off.
Lou hoped his girlfriend would be born after 2000, meaning she would be about 10 years younger than him. She must be 165-171cm tall, and be “slim and have a good image”.
He said she should have a bachelor’s, or a master’s or PhD degree from a list of nine elite mainland universities.
“I will also consider those graduating from foreign institutions that are ranked in the top 20 globally, depending on their own special conditions,” Lou said in his post.
“A major in law or medicine will add scores,” he added.
“If the university from which the girl graduated is not in the above list, but she is extraordinary in other aspects, like appearance, family’s financial situation, or her abilities, I may also nod to give her a chance,” he concluded.
Amid a public outcry, Lou’s employer made a statement on March 17, saying that the post had not been verified by Lou.
“It contains some untrue information,” wrote Zhejiang University’s School of Marxism, without elaborating.
Lou has reported the case to the police, according to the school.
The story has sparked a discussion on mainland social media.
“What is wrong with this man? He is outstanding and it is reasonable to be strict in finding a girlfriend. Many netizens are just jealous of him,” one online observer said.
However, another person said: “What a tragedy for education. He regards love as a deal.” - South China Morning Post
