ZHENGZHOU Asics Gel Nimbus Shoes Sale , March 5 (Xinhua) -- With China embracing the spirit of helping others during Lei Feng Day on Thursday, a disputed case has once again triggered reflections on heroism in the country.
A mixture of heroics and tragedy surrounds the case of Meng Ruipeng, a student who lost his life saving two children who were drowning in an artificial lake on the outskirts of Puyang City in central China's Henan Province in late February.
The 24-year-old North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power student jumped into the water and rescued the children, but sadly drowned in the process.
Even as people praised Meng's heroic deeds, one of the children's mothers claimed he had fallen into the water by himself and had not drowned while saving the children. She did so in order to avoid the risk of having to pay his family compensation for his death.
The reaction elicited anger from Meng's relatives and friends, who claimed they only wanted justice Asics Gel Kayano Shoes Sale , not money.
"I doubt anyone would dare become a good samaritan in the future," Meng's cousin said.
After a police investigation, the story got a new ending. The mother, who has little money, admitted she only told the lie to avoid paying compensation.
On Tuesday, thousands of residents attended Meng's funeral to pay respect to the young hero.
But discussion on the topic did not end there.
"If you don't provide help Asics Womens Shoes Sale , you will be self-condemned; but if you do, you are likely to be hurt by people you help. It is really a dilemma," said one comment on China's microblog Sina Weibo.
It is not the first time Chinese samaritans have faced such a dilemma. Last year, a man from south China's Guangdong Province aided a senior citizen but was accused of knocking him down. The man committed suicide in the face of demands for compensation.
In other cases, the public has refrained from assisting fallen senior citizens over concerns of later being blackmailed.
In 2012, China's State Council published a paper outlining ideas to help protect good samaritans which would provide preferential polices in employment and other fields.
Although there have been calls for a national good samaritan law Asics Shoes Sale , only a few cities have pushed ahead with such legislation.
LEI FENG SPIRIT NEEDED
March 5 was designed by late Chairman Mao Zedong as "Lei Feng Day" to commemorate the soldier who died tragically young in the early 1960s after devoting his life to selflessly helping the needy. Chinese are taught about his altruism from childhood.
Volunteers from Chinese provinces of Shandong, Anhui, Hunan and Guangdong participated in various activities to show goodwill and lend a helping hand to strangers on Thursday.
Lei Feng's spirit, which involves honesty, friendship, selflessness and generosity Asics Running Shoes , is a widely accepted values and ethics for Chinese. It is still meaningful to learn from him even today, said Zhang Mingsuo, a professor with Zhengzhou University.
The spirit can make everyone become better, especially in a society under a crisis of trust, Zhang said.
by Li Laifang and Ren Liying
SHIJIAZHUANG, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Painter Liu Shuai has become an online celebrity in China not just for his art Asics Tiger Shoes , but for his unyielding attitude toward life.
The 26-year-old, who lives in a village in Shenze County, Hebei Province, has cerebral palsy.
His disability, which restricts his movement and requires him to use a wheelchair, has not been his only challenge in life. Liu's only brother Asics Gel Nimbus Shoes , the rural family's main breadwinner, died in a traffic accident 12 years ago, and his 69-year-old father suffers from serious diabetes.
The young man never attended school because of his condition. When he was nine, his father took home several watercolor brush-pencils he picked up from a garbage site.
The pencils changed Liu's life. He trained his left hand to paint every day as his right hand has little strength. His love of painting helped him forget his physical limitations.
"In 2002, a senior county official visited my family and after learning I like painting, he introduced several famous painters to help me improve my skills Asics Gel Kayano Shoes ," said Liu, wearing a pair of glasses and simple clothes.
The sudden death of his brother struck a heavy blow to the family. Liu decided to sell his works to support the family, which owed debts of 30,000 yuan (4,885 U.S. dollars) for his brother's marriage.
In 2010, he opened an online shop on e-commerce platform Taobao. He sold two paintings in his first online sale for 100 yuan.
Liu's work includes portraits and landscapes Asics Womens Shoes , and he sells two to three pieces every month via the online shop, earning 200 to 300 yuan. Buyers include art lovers and those who just want to help Liu.
After Liu held an exhibition at the Shijiazhuang Museum in the provincial capital in 2011, a businessman started purchasing three of Liu's paintings every month for 600 yuan in order to help him.
Liu's father's disease worsened this year and he was confined to bed. The family had no money to continue treatment, so Liu had no choice but to create as many paintings as possible to sell.
"I have had a dream since childhood to realize my value through painting," said Liu. "Aid will not address poverty. Man has to rely on himself. I believe I can do this."
Liu has won wide acclaim online for his inspiring story.
Netizens praised his work and sent kind wishes to Liu and his family. Some have asked to make donations to him.
"Good boy. I show my respect to you," read a microblog post left by "chuqingyixiao" on Sina Weibo Asics Shoes , a Chinese microblogging service.
"He is very sane. Those who earn their own livings always deserve aid and respect," said another netizen posting under the name "yinguolunhui."
Dozens of Liu's works have been sold in the past few days after Liu's story was widely reported