After being trapped in India for more than 50 years, a Chinese man finally reunites with his family.
In 1963, Wang Qi, an army survivor accidentally crossed into India and since then, he has never received the necessary documents required in order to leave the country, reports Independent.
On Saturday, at 77, Wang returned home. Along with family: Vishnu Wang, daughter Anita Wankhede, daughter-in-law Neha Wang and grandson Khanak Wang.
On his arrival by air in Beijing, Mr. Wang Qi was met by his family members. He is expected to fly to Xianyang, his home city.
A document stating that Wang Qi was now clear to leave India was given to him by the Indian foreign ministry. In addition, his family members were also given passports so that they could leave with him, depending on their choice.
Mr. Wang was not accompanied by his wife, who is an Indian citizen. It is unclear whether Mr. Wang has plans to return to India since he was given a Chinese passport in 2013 but he was not granted Indian citizenship.
Mr Wang has not seen his 82-year-old brother Wang Zhiyuan for 54 years. The pair spoke for 17 minutes, after which Mr Wang said: “I couldn’t recognise him. He looked so old. He said he was alive just for me.”
Mr. Wang said that he was captured by the Indian officers in 1963 when he strayed erroneously into India’s territory. By then, he was tasked road building activities for the Chinese army.
“I had gone out of my camp for a stroll but lost my way. I was tired and hungry when I saw a Red Cross vehicle and asked them for help after which they handed me over to the Indian army,” added Mr. Wang.
Before a court ordered his release in 1969, Mr. Wang spent the next seven years in several different jails.
After his release, he was taken by the police to Tirodi, a far-flung village found in central Madhya Pradesh state. Since then, he had not been granted the permission to leave the country.
