TikTok to Tying the Knot: Chinese Man Marries Bangladeshi Woman in Madaripur

A digital love story that began on TikTok and blossomed on WeChat culminated in marriage as Chinese national Si Tianjing (26) traveled thousands of miles from Shanghai to Madaripur, Bangladesh, to marry his beloved Sumaiya Akter (20), a university student from North Mahisher Char in the Sadar upazila.

On July 28, the couple tied the knot in accordance with Islamic rites through a notary public, with a dowry of five lakh taka. Their union, with the consent of both families, drew crowds of curious locals who came to catch a glimpse of the foreign groom.

Sumaiya, daughter of Saidur Munshi and Yasmin Begum, is a first-year honours student at Madaripur Government Women’s College. Her husband Si Tianjing is the son of Si Jing Ning and Wang Ying, and owns a restaurant business in Shanghai. The newlyweds plan to move to China within a month and a half, where Sumaiya will join her husband at his home.

Local ward member Md. Rubel Hawlader stated, “A few days ago, a young man arrived here from China and married Sumaiya from our area. They first got married legally and then held a social ceremony in the presence of respected locals. I’ve heard the groom runs a business in China and will soon take his wife there.”

Their relationship, sparked by TikTok, grew stronger through conversations on WeChat. Using translation software, the two communicated their feelings despite the language barrier. After just four months of online romance, Si Tianjing arrived in Dhaka on July 24 and traveled to Madaripur on July 26 with Sumaiya and her relatives. The couple got married the next day.

Sumaiya said, “I became a fan of him on TikTok. Then we started chatting on WeChat. We fell in love while talking. But I never imagined he would actually come to Bangladesh for me after just four months. He told me while boarding the plane that he was coming, but I didn’t believe him until he messaged me from India. He told his parents about me. They are Muslim too. His mother told him to come and marry me. That’s why he came. I’ve already started the process for my passport. He’ll stay in Bangladesh for a month, and we’ll prepare all documents during that time. I’m also getting ready to go to China.”

Unable to speak Bangla, Si Tianjing used a mobile translation app to communicate. “I like Bangladesh, but it’s very hot. A lot of people come to see me, and that makes me nervous. I came here because I love Sumaiya. I’ve married her and will take her to China once her documents are ready. My family knows everything and has supported this marriage,” he said.

Sumaiya’s father, Saidur Rahman, expressed his happiness: “My daughter fell in love online and married this Chinese young man. We’re all happy. We hope they live a long and happy life together.”