LayarHijau – A Chinese female social media influencer from Fujian Province who was found stranded on the streets of Cambodia has continued to draw widespread public attention, as new details emerge about her health condition and family efforts to bring her home. The woman, identified as Wu Mouzhen (吴某桢), is currently receiving medical treatment in Cambodia, while her mother has flown to the country to arrange her return.
The hospital treating Wu confirmed that she has been diagnosed with multiple illnesses, including a lung infection, pleurisy, pleural effusion, urinary retention, and low protein levels. Medical tests also showed positive results for drug use. Doctors described her overall physical condition as weak, with limited mobility.
Public concern escalated after videos circulated online showing Wu sitting on a roadside in an extremely frail state early this year. She appeared emaciated and pale, holding only her passport and CT scan results. The images quickly went viral on Chinese social media platforms, prompting fears over her safety and sparking widespread discussion.
On January 6, Wu’s uncle told Red Star News that Wu’s mother, surnamed Xie, and a cousin had boarded a flight to Cambodia earlier that day. He said the family was only able to act swiftly after media coverage brought attention to the case and Chinese diplomatic authorities stepped in.
“We are very grateful for the media’s reporting and the embassy’s timely involvement. Without that help, our family would not have been able to reach her so quickly,” he said.
Wu’s mother revealed that she only learned her daughter was in Cambodia in mid-April 2025, after being contacted by police. Until then, the family believed Wu was working somewhere in China. Even when questioned, Wu reportedly insisted that she was in Zhejiang Province.
Regarding drug use, Xie said she only became aware of the issue in December after hearing from Wu’s friends. She also explained that Wu had been renting an apartment in Sihanoukville. The landlord, who is also Chinese, contacted her on December 26 to warn that Wu’s condition had deteriorated significantly.
“He told me her condition was already very serious. He said if she wasn’t brought home soon, he was afraid she would die there,” Xie said.
According to her mother, Wu had been bedridden for nearly two months, which Xie believes was largely due to the effects of drug use. When she saw her daughter during a video call, Xie initially suspected Wu had been physically assaulted. However, Wu was unable to clearly explain what had happened because her mental state appeared unstable.
Xie later sent 2,000 yuan—about US$280—and asked the landlord to take Wu to a hospital for examination. At the time, she was told that no major physical problems were detected. Xie believed Wu’s inability to stand or move normally was mainly caused by drug use.
After returning from the hospital, Wu lost contact once again. Not long afterward, videos describing her as a “Chinese influencer stranded in Cambodia” began circulating widely online.
In a video call with media on January 5, Wu said she traveled to Cambodia in March 2025 after being introduced by a friend to work in the service industry. During her stay, she entered a romantic relationship that later ended. She claimed she was forced to leave her accommodation because her health worsened and she could no longer move normally, prompting concerns from the landlord.
Wu is currently receiving treatment at Tongji Hospital in Sihanoukville. The hospital said she was admitted on January 3 following coordination with a Chinese liaison office in the area. After several days of treatment, her condition has stabilized, her appetite has improved, and she has shown greater willingness to communicate.
As Wu currently has no place to stay and has not fully recovered, the hospital confirmed it will continue providing medical care, nutrition, and daily assistance until arrangements can be made for her return to China.
The case has once again highlighted the risks of working overseas through unclear or informal channels, the dangers associated with drug abuse, and the importance of communication between young adults and their families. Amid intense public attention, many have urged that the incident not be treated as sensational content, but as a sobering reminder of personal safety and the serious consequences that can arise from life-altering decisions.
