A man in the Chinese province of Zhejiang has been arrested for reportedly selling his two-year-old son for 158,000 yuan (S$32,570) and using the money to take his new wife on holiday, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

Went traveling with money he earned from selling his son

The man, surnamed Xie, was arrested on April 24, whereupon he confessed to selling his son, Jiajia, to a childless couple in Changshu, Jiangsu province, according to local Chinese media.

Afterwards, Xie took the money from the sale to travel with his new wife. They reportedly went from Jiangsu to Guizhou province.

He also flaunted his newfound wealth, sending his friends videos and photos of his stacks of 100 yuan notes.

The child was subsequently returned to his grandmother on April 25 by the authorities.

Son was from a previous marriage

SCMP further highlighted that Xie had been given custody of Jiajia after he divorced the child's mother, who kept their daughter.

Xie subsequently left Jiajia in the care of his brother, Lin, as he worked in another city.

The police were alerted to the case when a report was filed by Lin on April 17, Chinese media further reported.

According to Lin, Xie had taken Jiajia away, claiming that he was taking the boy to visit his mother.

However, Lin made the report when he discovered that Jiajia did not arrive at his mother's location, while calls to Xie went unanswered.

Not the first time Xie has given up his children

This is not the first time that Xie has apparently given up his child, however.

He had also reportedly given away two daughters from his previous marriage, citing the family's poverty as the reason.

Top image collage via QQ news and 163.com