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Alice Yan

A polio-suffering man has once again moved the mainland public by donating tonnes of supplies to the victims of a flood in southwestern China.
Hu Lei, 32, who has been dubbed the Kneeling Giant, bought 5,000kg of rice, 500 boxes of instant noodles, 500 bottles of mineral water, 100 torches and 2,000 pairs of gloves at a combined cost of 55,000 yuan (US$8,000).
His friends also bought items worth 20,000 yuan (US$3,000).
They drove a truck loaded with supplies to flood-hit Rongjiang County in Guizhou province.

On arrival on June 29, they transferred the items to the local disaster relief authority, Jimu News reported.
The whole project left Hu with just 0.5 yuan in his bank account, the report said.
“Either I do not donate, or I give everything,” Hu was quoted as saying.
Hu, from a poor family in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region in northwestern China, is known and admired by many as a Kneeling Giant due to his philanthropic dedication despite his physical condition.
He makes a living by collecting items that can be recycled and selling handicraft products at a street stall.

Despite his meagre income, Hu donated one million yuan (US$140,000) to help 500 impoverished students between 2008 and 2023.
Some of his earnings came from live-streaming on social media and subsidies from the government for the disabled.
Rongjiang County is famous for its village football league, which went viral on social media years ago.
The region experienced severe flooding from June 21 to June 24.
Roads and shopping centres were engulfed by the floodwaters and more than 100,000 residents were affected. 50,000 people had to be evacuated.
“I arrived in Rongjiang and felt sad with what I saw. Rongjiang is badly wrecked by the flood. Cheer up, Rongjiang. You will get through misery,” Hu said.
“I am sick with many diseases, but I must stick to the charity endeavour. Too many people have helped me since my childhood. The government also gives me a subsidy every month,” he added.

Hu’s story sparked a lively discussion on mainland social media.
“He is kneeling on the ground. But he deserves us to respect and look up to him,” one online observer said.
“He is a figure that moves the whole of China. Let us remember his name, Hu Lei,” said another person.
However, another person said: “His extreme charitable actions should not be advocated. When he wants to buy a steamed bun which needs just two yuan, he will find he cannot afford it.”


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Charity giver, known across the nation by his nickname ‘Kneeling Giant’, gives US$140,000 over 15-year period


Charity giver, known across the nation by his nickname ‘Kneeling Giant’, gives US$140,000 over 15-year period.


Accidents, extreme weather and disasters in China

Jimu News

Disabled Chinese scavenger donates tonnes of supplies to flood victims, keeps nothing

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Charity giver, known across the nation by his nickname ‘Kneeling Giant’, gives US$140,000 over 15-year period

Charity giver, known across the nation by his nickname ‘Kneeling Giant’, gives US$140,000 over 15-year period