How a man has lived in an airport for 14 years
In order to escape the rules imposed by his family, a man from China has thought of a unique way to live as he chooses.
Wei Jianguo, who is in his 60s, moved into Beijing Capital International Airport over 14 years ago after his family told him he needed to quit drinking and smoking.
Mr Wei has a set up with his food, belongings and sleeping bag in a waiting area of the airport, where he smokes and drinks as much as he likes: a habit he supports with his monthly government allowance.
He says he is unable to return home because he has “no freedom there”, as his family disapproves of his unhealthy habits.
“My family told me if I wanted to stay, I had to quit smoking and drinking,” he said.
“If I couldn't do that, I had to give them all my monthly government allowance of 1,000 yuan ($210 AUD). But then how would I buy my cigarettes and alcohol?”
Mr Wei moved into the airport in 2008, as he settled in Terminal 2 which is known as the “warmest” spot.
The man said that he has given up looking for work, after he was let go from a job where he worked at an internal combustion engine factory in his 40s for being “too old”.
While he goes out if he needs to do any shopping, he doesn't like to leave the airport because he “won't get cold that way”, Mr Wei told Pear Video.
The news outlet also spoke with airport staff about Mr Wei’s residency, who said the man is harmless, despite being quite a loud drunk.
One worker said that Mr Wei had been encouraged to leave a few times, but “every time we mentioned it he was drunk and lost his temper”.
According to China Daily, Mr Wei has not been the only resident in the airport, with six people believed to be living there in 2018, with one dweller “notorious” for blasting Chinese opera music to passing travellers.
Image credits: Getty Images