Lang (above), now 18, is said to have attained excellent results in the national college entrance examination. Photo: Baidu
After being lost in the devastation in Beichuan County near the epicentre of the quake for more than 20 hours, Lang, who was three years old at the time, was rescued by soldiers.
A viral photo showed a group of soldiers searching for survivors amid the carnage. They found and rescued little Lang who was buried under the rubble.
As he lay flat on a makeshift stretcher carried by soldiers, covered with bruises and dirt on his frightened face, Lang raised his right hand in a salute of respect to his rescuers.
His gesture touched millions of people across the nation who have been keen to follow the youngster’s progress.
Lang recalled that he was scared despite not understanding what happened at the time of the quake.
“I am still scared of staying alone at night, and I need to keep the lights on when I go to bed,” he said.
Lang’s secondary school class teacher, Liu Changzhi, described him as a cheerful, confident and helpful character.
Lang’s father said his son has always loved reading history, biographies, military texts and political writing.
