A Chinese man caught up in a love triangle got more than he bargained for when both decided to risk their lives to test his love for them.

In a bizarre incident, Wu Hsia, 21, was presented with a dilemma when his long-time girlfriend and new squeeze jumped into a river early Wednesday morning in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, in Zhejiang province, reported China's state-run newspaper People's Daily.

Mr Wu dumped 20-year-old Jun Tang for Ms Rong Tsao, 22, four months ago. The report said he was constantly being harassed by his ex-girlfriend. His current girlfriend also kept nagging at him about his past relationship.

He arranged for a meeting in the early hours of Wednesday morning with the two women at a park next to a river in an attempt to get out of the love triangle. But things took a turn for the worse when the scorned Jun, after arguing with Rong, leapt off a bridge into the river.

"She was calling for help but then Rong also jumped into the water, saying that it was her or my ex," Mr Wu was quoted as saying.

"I was completely dumbfounded but I also had to make a choice between right and wrong. So I decided to save Rong."

After jumping in to rescue Rong, Mr Wu called his brother who then phoned the fire brigade to fish Jun out of the water.

Photos showed a mud-soaked Jun by the river after being saved. She was then taken to hospital, but was discharged soon after.

Mr Wu was reportedly overheard asking Jun after the incident: "It's been four months since we broke up, why are you still harassing me?"

Her reply? "I just want to harass you."