Wenchuan Earthquake: 10 years on

Zhao Tianrong

Zhao Tianrong, who as a new recruit spent eight months in a quake-stricken area carrying out rescue and relief work, is now a staff sergeant with overseas peacekeeping experience. [File Photo: People's Daily]

Zhao Tianrong spent eight months in quake-stricken areas carrying out rescue and relief work as a new recruit with the army. Now a staff sergeant, he once worked overseas as a peacekeeper.

Young army recruit Zhao Tianrong was undergoing basic training when his troop was suddenly ordered to head towards the disaster-hit area on the night of May 12, 2008. 

Zhao was confronted by collapsed buildings, smashed cars, countless injuries, and bodies strewed along the road.

"An unprecedented heaviness and sorrow gripped me, tears sprinkled my skirt, and the only thing in my mind is to save lives," remembers Zhao.

With the two mains roads leading to the epicenter destroyed, Zhao's regiment was ordered to create two rescue routes, one over water and the other over land. 

Zhao and his team built three bridges, which allowed them to join forces with rescuers in the town of Yingxiu in Wenchuan County, where they continued to carry out rescue work.

It took Zhao and his team about a week to help evacuate over 50,000 local people. He later participated in the reconstruction work, including building tents and shelters, transporting construction materials, and disinfecting the settlement area.

The young soldier stayed in the quake-hit area for eight months. For his efforts, he was awarded a Three-Class Merit for his outstanding performance.

In recent years, Zhao has carried out earthquake relief and flood relief work on six occasions, as well as going to Lebanon on peacekeeping missions.

"I regard each mission as a life-and-death challenge, and I go all out to strive to do my best. Only in this way can I deserve the title of "Chinese soldier", and be worthy of the salute from the "Saluting Boy" (Lang Zheng)," the veteran told journalists with People's Daily.