In the buzzing world of an international airport, one man’s unlikely quest for freedom and independence unfolds amidst terminals and baggage claims.
Wei Jianguo, a man in his sixties, has chosen an unconventional life of freedom and solitude in the bustling Beijing Capital International Airport, all to preserve his lifestyle unhindered by familial pressures to quit smoking and drinking. His peculiar choice has transformed him into a unique fixture in the airport’s landscape, intriguing passengers and staff alike for over fourteen years.
Tired of constant nagging about his unhealthy habits back home, Wei set up camp in the airport, where he has since been able to spend his monthly government allowance entirely on his beloved booze and cigarettes. The expectation to give up his habits and surrender his stipend if he were to return home was a price he found too steep to pay.
In an interview with China Daily back in 2018, Wei candidly expressed his preference for his current living arrangement, saying, “My family told me if I wanted to stay, I had to quit smoking and drinking. If I couldn’t do that, I had to give them all my monthly government allowance… But then how would I buy my cigarettes and alcohol?”
Once a resident of Wangjing, a place situated a mere twelve miles from his chosen sanctuary, Wei has made Terminal 2 of the Beijing airport his home, citing its warmth as a key factor. However, his fondness for Terminal 3 also finds him spending considerable time there.
Though he hasn’t held a job since he was laid off from an internal combustion engine factory in his forties, his survival depends on the governmental assistance he receives. Considered “too old” to work, Wei has since adapted to a life of leisure, occasionally stepping out of the airport for shopping but always preferring the airport’s environment, citing the cold as a deterrent to venture outside frequently.
His unconventional lifestyle choice has garnered him considerable attention, even meriting a report by Pear Video. The report includes interviews with airport business workers, most of whom are familiar with Wei and consider him mostly harmless. However, his penchant for drinking did draw some complaints about him turning into a boisterous drunk.
Despite persistent suggestions for him to leave the airport, Wei has remained steadfast, often responding with a temper, particularly when inebriated, according to one airport worker.
Interestingly, Wei is not the only permanent resident of the airport. The China Daily report reveals that there are up to six other individuals who have similarly chosen the airport as their home, each with their unique reasons. Among these individuals, one resident has gained notoriety for blaring Chinese opera music from his speakers, adding an even more peculiar note to this unusual tale.
WATCH the video below for more details:
Source: AWM