Veteran artist Jiang Houren confirms relationship with 24-year-old girlfriend, writer notes complex past

Taiwanese veteran artist Jiang Houren, 71, has confirmed his relationship with his 24-year-old girlfriend, Tong Xin.

The couple's romance has sparked widespread discussion, particularly due to Tong Xin's claims of a high IQ and advanced academic qualifications, including three master's degrees and a doctorate from National Taiwan University. She also revealed that she had written to Jiang when she was in first grade, a connection spanning 39 years.

However, Tong Xin's background has come under intense public scrutiny. Reports have questioned her academic credentials and unearthed details about her past, including previous names and marital history. Online commenters have warned Jiang to "be careful of being scammed."

Writer Xiao Yingdeng commented on Facebook, noting Tong Xin's multiple past identities, including Chen Yixu, Yu Jiajing, and Xu Jiayu, among others. He suggested these were not "seven lives" but rather "just this life," implying a complex past.

Name-analysis expert Wu Ruiying stated that individuals can change their names up to three times. A fourth change is permissible under specific conditions, such as having the same name as someone on the same household registration or a wanted fugitive.

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She is Tong Xin, and also Chen Yixu, also Yu Jiajing, and also Xu Jiayu. She was Chen Yinyu, and in her early years Chen Yuling. This is not seven lives, it is just this life.