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But Ken Miller, 70, from Ystalyfera in the Swansea Valley, said he would appeal against the visa refusal.
If that fails, the pensioner said he would move to China to be with new wife Yin Qieo, who is 44.
He said it had been labelled a marriage of convenience by the authorities. The Home Office said it would not comment on individual cases.
The pensioner said the authorities had found inconsistencies in the pair's tale of their romance.
Mr Miller said: "There was some doubt as to the way we met and apparently she didn't know my hobbies or favourite food.
Yorkshire pudding
"When I went to China to see her, rugby, DIY and gardening didn't come up in conversation.
"I stayed there for six weeks and we lived on Chinese food, so I wasn't going to talk about roast beef and Yorkshire pudding or fish and chips because they weren't available.
"They also said she didn't have any knowledge of English and would be a burden on taxpayers, but she is quite willing to enrol in a class to learn English and is quite willing to work.
"We were not going to go through the benefits system because there's nothing there for us."
Mr Miller's first wife died of cancer in 1992. The former Royal Navy member re-married the following year but was divorced several years ago.
Leave her there
He said he believed his new bride had "an affection for me and I know I've certainly got an affection for her".
He had previously hoped his new wife would be in the UK by March.
"I've got 28 days to put in the appeal, but if that fails and it came to the push then I would move to China.
"I'm not going to say it's all been a mistake and leave her there, I'm married to the lady."
The saga began last July when the couple were introduced by an internet dating agency and started corresponding by email.
He travelled to the south west city of Nanning at the end of last year to meet her for the first time, and they married.
At first Neath Port Talbot Council said Mr Miller's wife was too young for his OAP complex.
But after taking legal advice officers confirmed in January that the couple had a right to live together.
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