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Two Chinese boys travelled 80km in bus undercarriage | Two Chinese boys travelled 80km in bus undercarriage |
(35 minutes later) | |
Pictures of two Chinese boys who travelled 80km (50 miles) in the undercarriage of a bus have sparked an online outcry about the welfare of the country's "left-behind" children. | Pictures of two Chinese boys who travelled 80km (50 miles) in the undercarriage of a bus have sparked an online outcry about the welfare of the country's "left-behind" children. |
The two, who have not been named by state media, are from a poor village in southern Guangxi, and had been trying to reach their parents, who work in neighbouring Guangdong province. | |
They were reported missing on 23 November by their teacher, and found on the same day in the undercarriage of a vehicle at a bus station. | They were reported missing on 23 November by their teacher, and found on the same day in the undercarriage of a vehicle at a bus station. |
Pictures and video show the two boys caked with mud and clinging to the bottom of the bus. | Pictures and video show the two boys caked with mud and clinging to the bottom of the bus. |
'Wanted to find parents' | 'Wanted to find parents' |
According to the Southern Morning Post (Nanguo Zaobao), the boys were "around eight or nine years old" and were found by security workers when the vehicle stopped at a station en route. | According to the Southern Morning Post (Nanguo Zaobao), the boys were "around eight or nine years old" and were found by security workers when the vehicle stopped at a station en route. |
They had travelled for about three miles along "steep slopes" and staff spoke of their "surprise" to find that they were unharmed. | They had travelled for about three miles along "steep slopes" and staff spoke of their "surprise" to find that they were unharmed. |
"These children's bodies were really thin, so the undercarriage was a good hiding space," one worker told the paper. | "These children's bodies were really thin, so the undercarriage was a good hiding space," one worker told the paper. |
Staff said the boys were reluctant to speak when questioned. But one staff member told Southern Morning Post: "We finally came to understand that these two boys had been missing their mum and dad. | Staff said the boys were reluctant to speak when questioned. But one staff member told Southern Morning Post: "We finally came to understand that these two boys had been missing their mum and dad. |
"They had hidden under the vehicle because they wanted, in vain, to find their parents." | "They had hidden under the vehicle because they wanted, in vain, to find their parents." |
Reports say that their relatives were informed and the children were picked up the same evening. | Reports say that their relatives were informed and the children were picked up the same evening. |
'Heartbreaking' | 'Heartbreaking' |
The incident has left China's online community shocked, and has been a talking point for thousands on the popular microblog Sina Weibo. | The incident has left China's online community shocked, and has been a talking point for thousands on the popular microblog Sina Weibo. |
The pictures have been widely shared, and described by many users as "heartbreaking". | The pictures have been widely shared, and described by many users as "heartbreaking". |
One says: "There are way too many young children in China now who are separated from their parents from a young age. Who is caring for them, and finding a solution to their problems?" | One says: "There are way too many young children in China now who are separated from their parents from a young age. Who is caring for them, and finding a solution to their problems?" |
Another online user said it was a "tragedy in society", while a third called for more "attention to left-behind children". | Another online user said it was a "tragedy in society", while a third called for more "attention to left-behind children". |
These are children from rural areas whose parents have moved to cities to work - there are tens of millions across China. | These are children from rural areas whose parents have moved to cities to work - there are tens of millions across China. |
Many live with their grandparents, or in extreme cases, by themselves. The two boys in this case had been boarding at their school. | Many live with their grandparents, or in extreme cases, by themselves. The two boys in this case had been boarding at their school. |
'China Dream gone bitter' | 'China Dream gone bitter' |
The incident has led to many online users mocking the idea of the "China Dream": a Communist Party concept popularised by President Xi Jinping in 2013 which sets out a set of personal and national ideals. | The incident has led to many online users mocking the idea of the "China Dream": a Communist Party concept popularised by President Xi Jinping in 2013 which sets out a set of personal and national ideals. |
One of these is for national poverty to be wiped out by 2020. One user says: "The rise of China relies heavily on migrant workers being exploited for their labour," receiving over 200 likes. | One of these is for national poverty to be wiped out by 2020. One user says: "The rise of China relies heavily on migrant workers being exploited for their labour," receiving over 200 likes. |
Another says that it is a "China Dream gone bitter" for these two "stupid children". | Another says that it is a "China Dream gone bitter" for these two "stupid children". |
"Isn't the China Dream meant to be in the interest of these children?" they add. | "Isn't the China Dream meant to be in the interest of these children?" they add. |
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitterand Facebook. | BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitterand Facebook. |