Wang Shi's love life prompts netizen's soul searching

Rather than watch the fun of a real estate mogul's love life, the public needs to consider: What is it that makes us no longer believe in love? And what is the basis of a successful marriage? These were the questions raised in an article in the Qilu Evening News. Excerpts:

Wang Shi, 61, chairman of China Vanke, the biggest residential real estate developer in China, has been making headlines after an online post alleged he divorced last year and is now in a relationship with Tian Pu Jun, a Chinese TV actress nearly half his age.

Wang is well-known as China's "real estate godfather". He is also a famous mountaineer who has reached the summit of Mount Qomolangma (known as Mount Everest in the West). He is now on a learning tour of Harvard University. So far, neither Wang or Tian have responded to the rumors personally. But that has not dampened the enthusiasm of netizens’  voicing their opinions on marriage and love.

Many said they were disappointed at the rumor, and it have reaffirmed in them that they: "do not believe in love".

But Wang is only a real estate magnate, not a moral example. Wang's rumored change in marital status is his private business and has nothing to do with the public. His story has, however, made some people question their view of love. Shouldn't love be the premise of marriage? Should one insist on being loyal to his or her spouse until death?

"Chinese Style Divorce" has become a focus of public attention in recent years. According to official data, during the first quarter of 2011, there were 465,000 couples going through divorce procedures. Up to 2011, the divorce rate in China increased progressively for seven consecutive years.

Chinese people's changing feelings toward love and marriage is rooted in recent dramatic social changes, including the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, loss of social standing and increased eagerness to climb the social hierarchy by taking a short cut. In some people's eyes, marriage has become a business deal and love is reduced to a minor concern. Marriage, in essence, is nothing but love, loyalty and responsibility, and achieving sustained marital happiness might be the hardest mountain to climb.