BEIJING: A Russian media search for a Chinese boy who had his photo taken with President Vladimir Putin 25 years ago has gone viral on mainland social media.
Now an engineer, the man has recalled the moment the president kissed his forehead and says the encounter had a lasting impact on his life.
On July 17, Russia Today TV, which is also known as RT, posted a “missing person search” on a major social media platform.
The post recounted how, on July 17, 2000, Putin, then 47, made his first official visit to Beijing as President.
After visiting the Forbidden City, Putin suggested rowing in a park. The sudden change of plan left security unable to clear the area in time, drawing a crowd of tourists.
During the visit, Putin interacted with a 12-year-old Chinese boy and his father, creating a heartwarming moment captured by photographers.
The boy, Peng Pai, is reportedly from Yueyang City in Hunan province, central China.
The RT post concluded: “Finding him on the same day, 25 years later, would be truly meaningful.”
The post made headlines, and major media outlets and netizens joined in the search for the boy.
On July 25, Hunan province’s official media outlet, Red Net, reached out to Peng Pai.
Peng told them how, after Putin got off the boat and waved at the crowd, he excitedly stood on a stone railing by the lake to respond.
The president then lifted him from the railing, kissed his forehead, and said something in Russian that he could not understand at that time.
“President Putin was like a kind uncle to me, and I feel so lucky to have been lifted out of that crowd by him,” Peng said.
Meeting Putin was a life-changing moment for Peng. Inspired by the encounter, he developed an interest in Russia and began learning Russian.
In 2007, he received the Russian Presidential Scholarship and studied bridge and tunnel engineering at a top university in Moscow.
After earning his master’s degree in 2013, Peng returned to China and became the head of the engineering department at a major construction company in Hunan.
He and his team developed a new bridge railing that won a national patent and designed a pedestrian landscape bridge that earned a national award.
Peng told the mainland media that government officials had mentioned arranging a possible meeting between him and President Putin if he visits China for a military parade in Beijing in September.
Peng said: “I am really looking forward to the chance to meet him again, express my respect, and share my story of growth.
“I have changed a lot over the years, but President Putin still looks as handsome as ever.”
The story has fascinated mainland social media.
One online observer said: “President Putin’s hug and kiss not only changed Peng’s life but also showed the warmth of diplomacy.”
“I am deeply moved by this decades-long connection. The bond between China and Russia is growing stronger,” said another. - South China Morning Post
