'Salute boy' stir now 'a thing of the past'

By Zhang Lei | China Daily | Updated: 2018-04-27 09:56

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The child famous for saluting his PLA rescuers from the rubble of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake is happily looking toward the future

Before the 10th anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake, which took place on May 12, 2008 and claimed 69,227 lives and left 17,923 missing, Southern Metropolis Daily reporter Ren Jiarui once again met up with Lang Zheng, or "Salute Boy" who touched the nation's heart in the aftermath of the deadly quake. As Lang was lying on a stretcher among the rubble waiting to be moved, the 3-year-old gave a military salute to the People's Liberation Army soldiers as they approached. The moment was captured on camera, and prompted an outpouring of concern from people of all walks of life. Lang, who is currently studying in middle school, has enjoyed a happy childhood in his post-earthquake life.

Ten years on and now a teenager, he is happy to be returning to lively campus life. "Extroverted" and "wild" are two words that Lang uses to describe himself. He is a cheerful boy who likes to play pranks, loves books, and is fascinated by basketball and football. Every weekend, he plays basketball with his father, taking up the position of shooting guard. His favorite sports star is David Beckham.

When Lang was young, he had aspired to become a policeman like his father. As a policeman at Beichuan county's public security bureau, his father Lang Hongdong had been working in the mountains at the time of the earthquake. It was not until a week after the event that he learned about Lang's rescue. At the time, Lang told the medical staff taking care of him: "I will also be a police officer and work with my father together to save people."

Lang's worship of his father and respect for his profession remains undiminished, but he now has a new vision for his future. Lang finds himself particularly interested in biology and hopes to be involved in biotechnology research in the future. The 13-year-old says: "The 'Salute Boy' sensation has become a thing of the past. We should all look forward."

Story provided by He Yushuai/Southern Metropolis Daily and Ren Jiarui/Department of Journalism, Shanghai University.

From left: Car models in Lang Zheng’s living room, of which two police cars were gifts from ordinary caring and helpful people; the photo was taken when Lang was 6, and he said he aspired to become a policeman; Lang has won many medels at his school’s sports meet.