China twins, reunited after 17 years, become best friends before learning truth

In a story that has captured hearts across China and beyond, two teenage girls unknowingly lived parallel lives just miles apart, only to discover years later that they were not just best friends—they were identical twin sisters separated at birth.

The extraordinary reunion unfolded in Nanjing, a city in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, where 17-year-old Li Mei and Wang Lin met during their first year of high school. What began as a casual friendship sparked by similar interests and physical resemblance evolved into something far deeper—an emotional discovery that would change both their lives forever.

A Chance Meeting That Felt Like Fate

When Li Mei transferred to a new school at the start of the academic year, she didn’t expect to meet someone who looked so much like her. Classmates were the first to comment. “You two could be twins,” some would say, laughing. Teachers began mixing up their names. Even the girls themselves began to notice striking similarities—not only in appearance but in mannerisms, favorite foods, and even dreams for the future.

“We joked about being long-lost sisters,” Lin recalled, smiling. “At first, it was just funny. But after a while, it started to feel like more than just a coincidence.”

They began spending more time together—studying, eating lunch, and going to weekend outings. They often wore matching clothes, sometimes unintentionally. Their friendship quickly deepened into a bond that felt inexplicably natural.

A Teacher’s Observation Sparks Curiosity

The turning point came during a school biology project on genetics. Their teacher, who had long noticed their physical similarities, playfully suggested they get a DNA test. What began as a light-hearted remark planted a seed of curiosity in the girls’ minds.

That night, Lin asked her parents if there was any chance she had a twin or was adopted. Her mother hesitated before revealing that Lin had, in fact, been adopted from a rural hospital in Hunan province in 2007. Mei’s adoptive parents later confirmed a similar story, prompting both families to agree to a DNA test.

The results were shocking: a 99.99% match. The girls were not just friends or distant relatives—they were biological twin sisters, separated shortly after birth.

A Hidden Past, Finally Revealed

Further investigation into hospital records revealed the heartbreaking truth. The twins had been born to a single mother under difficult circumstances during the final years of China’s one-child policy. Unable to raise both children, and fearing punishment under the restrictive law, their mother had made the painful decision to put one child up for adoption in hopes she would have a better life.

Mei was taken in by a childless couple in Jiangsu Province, while Lin was adopted by relatives in the neighboring province. Neither adoptive family was aware that the girls had a twin sister or that they had been born as a pair.

“It felt like my entire life suddenly made sense,” Mei said. “All the little things I felt—like something was missing—finally connected.”

Embracing Sisterhood After the Shock

The initial reaction was a mix of joy, disbelief, and emotional overwhelm. The girls cried when they saw the DNA results. But in the days that followed, that emotional storm gave way to warmth, gratitude, and a shared sense of destiny.

They now spend weekends at each other’s homes and call each other “Jie” and “Meimei”—older sister and younger sister in Mandarin. Their families, too, have embraced the newfound relationship, organizing regular family meals and even planning a joint birthday celebration for the girls.

“We lost 17 years,” Lin said. “But we’ve gained a lifetime.”

Going Viral and Touching Millions

Their story, first shared on Chinese social media platform Weibo by a classmate, quickly went viral. Within days, news outlets were covering the reunion, and hashtags like #TwinsReunited and #SisterMiracle trended across platforms.

Many netizens expressed admiration for the girls’ bond, while others used the story to reflect on the lasting impact of China’s former one-child policy. Thousands of users commented, calling it “a miracle of fate,” “heartbreaking yet beautiful,” and “a story that gives hope.”

The girls were later invited to appear on national television, where they shared their emotional journey with viewers across the country.

Looking Ahead—Together

Now inseparable, the twins have decided to apply to the same universities and plan to live together in college. Both have a passion for psychology and hope to one day work in counseling or family therapy to help others dealing with adoption, identity, and trauma.

They’ve also launched a video blog chronicling their journey of reunion, self-discovery, and sisterhood. Their goal is to raise awareness about family separation, the emotional effects of adoption, and the importance of openness when it comes to identity.

“Meeting Mei changed my life,” Lin said during a recent vlog. “I thought I had found a best friend, but I found something much deeper—a part of myself.”

Mei agreed, adding: “We are proof that even after years of separation, love finds a way.”