A Chinese police officer leaped into the sea to rescue a man in distress, and a photograph of him emerging from the water in a wet T-shirt quickly went viral. - Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
BEIJING: A heroic and handsome Chinese police officer has become an overnight internet sensation, igniting a frenzy among netizens after he jumped into the sea to rescue a man.
A photo of him emerging from the water in a wet T-shirt, showcasing his muscular physique, quickly went viral online.
The dramatic rescue occurred late on July 24 in Wanning, Hainan province, southern China.
Officer Li Shuda from the Wanning Public Security Bureau was resting by the seaside when he noticed a man, surnamed Ye, struggling in the water.
Ye later revealed that while playing at the beach with friends, he was suddenly swept away by a powerful current, causing him to lose his balance and sink rapidly.
“I was sunbathing near the reef when I noticed a group of people playing. One of them was suddenly pulled under by the current. At first, I thought they were just playing around, but after three to four minutes without seeing him come up, I realised something was wrong. When I saw him start to sink, I rushed in and pushed him towards the reef,” Li recounted.
As a member of the Wanning Public Security Bureau, Officer Li is dedicated to serving and protecting the community. - Photo: Handout
With exceptional swimming skills and a keen knowledge of the local waters, Li quickly reached the semi-conscious Ye, securing him from behind to prevent further sinking. Using one arm, he coordinated with another rescuer to swim towards a nearby reef.
Once they reached the reef, Ye was too weak to climb up from the front, prompting both rescuers to turn to the other side. After nearly 30 minutes of effort, they finally pushed Ye onto the reef.
Li then swam back to retrieve life-saving equipment and successfully brought Ye to shore.
On July 28, Ye presented Li with a silk banner as a gesture of gratitude.
“I owe him my life. I’m truly grateful,” Ye expressed.
Notably, this was not Li’s first rescue; he had also performed a water rescue during another emergency in May.
“As a police officer, I carry a deep sense of mission and honour,” Li remarked. “Being ready to act in critical moments is part of who I am. I’ll continue safeguarding the safety of Wanning’s coastal waters.”
However, in an unexpected twist, after Li’s heroic act was widely reported, a photo of him emerging from the water in a wet T-shirt, revealing his striking physique, went viral online.
Following his courageous rescue, the public’s focus shifted from his bravery to his striking looks, especially in photos where he is often seen with dogs. - Photo: Handout
Public attention quickly shifted from his bravery to his chiselled chest and handsome face, sparking a wave of humorous and lighthearted comments.
One person exclaimed: “Officer Li is too handsome. I’m already dizzy!”
Another inquired: “So handsome and responsible – are you still single?”
A third joked: “Please give me Officer Li’s contact information. I want to jump into the sea too.”
Amid the playful banter, one commenter cautioned that his new-found popularity might have unintended consequences, stating: “That sea area might get crowded as people may jump in just to be rescued by him.” - South China Morning Post
