Heroic Student's Earthquake Rescue Earns Major Rewards
During a 4.6 magnitude earthquake in Yinchuan, China, high school student Guo Qing carried his mobility-impaired classmate to safety. His selfless act earned him significant rewards including a full scholarship to study in Germany.
On January 2, 2025, when a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck Yinchuan in China’s Ningxia region, most students at Yinchuan Foreign Language Experimental School rushed to evacuate their classroom. However, Guo Qing, a second-year high school student, made a split-second decision that would prove extraordinary.
As students streamed toward the exits, Guo noticed a classmate with mobility impairment struggling to evacuate. Without hesitation, he turned back through the crowd, lifted his classmate onto his back, and carried them to safety. The entire sequence was captured on the school’s security cameras.
What makes Guo’s actions particularly remarkable is their instinctive nature. In a moment of crisis, when survival instincts typically drive people to think only of themselves, he chose to risk his own safety to help another. This raw display of character and courage quickly captured national attention after the footage went viral on Chinese social media.
The school administration’s response has set a new standard for recognizing moral excellence. Rather than merely offering verbal praise, they provided substantial rewards: an honorary title of “Outstanding Yinchuan Foreign Language School Student,” a ¥9,000 monetary award, full tuition exemption for his remaining high school years, and most significantly, a fully-funded opportunity to study in Germany contingent on meeting admission requirements.
This comprehensive reward package sends a powerful message that character and moral courage hold equal, if not greater, importance than academic achievements alone. By making such a substantial investment in Guo’s future, the school demonstrates that acts of selflessness and bravery deserve tangible recognition.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about education’s role in character development. While academic excellence remains crucial, Guo’s story highlights how moments of crisis reveal the true measure of an individual’s character. His spontaneous act of heroism embodies the values that educational institutions should nurture alongside intellectual growth.
This case has resonated deeply with the Chinese public, offering a refreshing counterpoint to an often achievement-focused educational narrative. It demonstrates that when institutions back their moral principles with meaningful action, they can inspire positive change in society.
The school’s decision to fully support Guo’s future education ensures that his momentary act of courage will have lasting positive implications for his life, setting an inspiring example for other educational institutions to follow.