Marrying chinese woman

HI, I have a friend from Asia & he is in love with a Chinese woman from Handan city & he wants to get married with her but the problem is , the guy is already married & now separated but not divorced yet. and ex wife's name is mentioned on his passport. my question is " is this a hurdle ( ex wife's name on passport) to get marriage certificate from Chinese authorizes & long period visa"..?. thanks in advance .kindly reply