Putin reunites with 'boy' from 26 years ago photo in Beijing

Putin has reunited with Peng Pai, who once posed for a photo with the Russian president during an impromptu visit to a park on his 2000 trip to Beijing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met engineer Peng Pai today at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, during his two-day visit to China. Peng Pai was the boy who took a photo with President Putin during his 2000 visit to Beijing, when he was 12 years old.

After a handshake, they embraced and exchanged souvenirs. Putin autographed a commemorative photo of their first encounter.

'I am very surprised to be able to meet you again after 26 years', Peng said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met engineer Peng Pai at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Beijing on 20/5. Video: RT

The Russian president praised Peng's decision to study in Russia, calling it 'very gratifying'. He noted that Peng Pai was born in southern China, a region with very different weather from Moscow. Putin thanked the journalists who helped him locate Peng, adding that he still remembered their meeting 26 years ago.

Engineer Peng told Putin that the reunion felt 'more surreal than a science fiction movie'.

Putin photographed with young Peng Pai at Beihai Park in 2000. Photo: China Daily

The initial encounter between Putin and engineer Peng occurred in July 2000, when Putin made an impromptu stop at Beihai Park in Beijing after visiting the Forbidden City during his first state visit to China as Russia's leader. Peng was then visiting the capital with his family from his hometown in Hunan.

The park visit was not on his official itinerary, and the area had not been secured. The Russian president walked past paramilitary police on duty and noticed the boy. Peng's father had lifted his son onto a stone railing by the lake so the boy could see better. Putin picked him up, kissed his forehead, and had a brief conversation with him in Russian.

Images of the encounter were widely published by Chinese media, and Peng's family kept the photos and articles documenting the moment. That experience left a deep impression of Russia on Peng and influenced his academic path.

President Putin meets engineer Peng Pai. Photo: Sputnik

Later, he studied bridge, road, and tunnel engineering at the Moscow State University of Railway Engineering on a Russian government scholarship, graduating with a master's degree in 2013.

Currently, Peng Pai is a senior engineer and head of the engineering technology department at a state-owned construction company in his hometown of Hunan, where he has participated in numerous infrastructure projects, including an award-winning pedestrian bridge.

Putin's current visit to China coincides with the launch of the 'China-Russia Year of Education' program, an initiative announced by the Chinese President and the Russian President in their New Year 2026 messages. The two leaders are expected to attend the opening ceremony of the 2026-2027 educational cooperation program.

Huyen Le (According to SCMP, RT, China Daily)

By VnExpress: https://vnexpress.net/ong-putin-gap-lai-cau-be-chup-anh-cung-o-bac-kinh-26-nam-truoc-5076172.html