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A woman surnamed Bu, born in 1979 and holding a master's degree in engineering, has been reunited with her family after going missing for 12 years. However, the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and life during this period have ignited widespread debate and anger on Chinese social media.
Bu earned her master's degree in 2008 and planned to pursue a doctorate, but her ambitions were thwarted when she missed the doctoral entrance exam due to failing to update her second-generation ID card. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and began treatment.
In May 2011, Bu disappeared from her home. Despite her family's exhaustive search and police reports, she remained missing until November 2023. A breakthrough came when a woman from Heshun County, Shanxi Province, sought help from volunteers to find her aunt's relatives. Bu was finally located, and it was revealed that she now has a son and daughter.
Bu’s family confirmed her identity and admitted her to a hospital for treatment. Her brother disclosed that the family is selling their house to fund her medical care. The Heshun County Public Security Bureau stated that Bu was taken in by a resident named Zhang from Qingcheng Town after her disappearance. However, details surrounding her life with Zhang, including her pregnancies and childbirths, have raised significant concerns.
In a live stream, Zhang’s niece made disturbing statements, questioning Bu’s value to society and blaming her for her situation. “Why didn’t she leave when she was clear-headed? She is of no use to society or the country,” the niece claimed. She also acknowledged that Zhang’s actions were wrong but showed no remorse.
These comments have enraged netizens on platforms like Sina Weibo. Many have questioned whether Bu, given her mental illness, was fully aware or consenting to her pregnancies. Others have called for a thorough investigation into whether Bu was held against her will or subjected to abuse.
One user responded, “Was Bu willing to have children with Zhang? Was she assaulted? Could she have tried to escape but been caught?” Another added, “This is not ‘taking her in.’ This is modern-day enslavement.”
Some netizens expressed disgust at the niece’s remarks. “Calling someone useless is not justification for abuse or captivity. To dehumanize a person like this is appalling,” one wrote.
The local Women’s Federation has intervened, promising a full investigation into Bu’s case. Officials stated that a public report will follow.
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