A set of photos posted on China's microblogging site, Weibo, showed the turtle clamping its jaws down on the victim.
The man, from Fujian province, was preparing to release the turtle in the wild, when he was unexpectedly bitten on the lips.
The turtle refused to release its powerful, beak-like jaws and was dangling from the man's face until it was prized away from the victim.
Netizens mocked the man, calling it a passionate goodbye kiss, Guangzhou Daily reported.
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According to 'Shanghai Daily', the animal appears to be an alligator snapping turtle, a dangerous reptile that is native to North America.
Authorities believe the turtle may have been a pet that was released.
The turtles are considered dangerous to China's ecosystem and people have been warned against releasing them.