Chinese father sues his three daughters for not visiting him enough

Yang Zhengyuan, a 69-year-old father of three from China's Sichuan province filed a lawsuit against his three daughters in March for not returning home to visit him 'frequently'. He claimed his daughters hadn't come home enough or given him enough financial support over the past ten years.

His daughters Yang Liu, Yang Qing and Yang Lan however hit back with a counterclaim accusing him of favoring boys over girls.

Yang Liu claims that her father beat her in her own office after she failed to give him the money he was demanding from her. 

While Yang Qing said she was beaten by her father when she was pregnant: 'When I was a few months pregnant, he pulled my hair and beat me.' 

They have provided copies of balance transfers sent to their father.

The family has been able to work out an agreement under which they will visit him twice a year and call once every month.

The mother of the girls, Xiao Liu confirmed the girls' allegations saying her husband favored boys over girls and used to beat her.

The daughters also argue that their father has shown a lack of interest in their personal affairs such as education, marriages and careers. 

He admitted that he could have contributed more to his family but denies claims that he 'abandoned' his daughters. 

Yang Qing told reporters: 'Even if he wins the case, we would lose our affection.' 

Earlier this year China introduced a new rule that allows parents to sue their children for not seeing them enough.  

Children who still refuse to visit their parents will be given a bad credit which may make it difficult for them to open bank accounts, take out loans and even have a library card.

The new law has an emphasis on 'coming home' rules.

During visits to their parents, the children have to provide financial and spiritual support to them.