Putin's kiss inspires Chinese boy's career path

Kissed on the forehead by President Putin in 2000, a Chinese boy is now an engineer, sharing the memory that inspired him for 25 years.

In July, Russia's RT network published an article announcing its search for a boy who met Putin in China in 2000.

Putin, then 47, was on his first official visit to Beijing as Russia's president. After visiting the Forbidden City, he requested a boat ride in the park. This unexpected change of plans prevented security from clearing the area in time, attracting a crowd of onlookers.

The Russian president interacted with a 12-year-old Chinese boy and his father. The moment was captured by reporters. The boy's name is Peng Pai, from Yueyang City, Hunan Province.

"Finding the boy on the same day, after 25 years, would be significant", the RT post stated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin poses with Peng Pai in China in 2000. Photo: Xinhua

Russian President Vladimir Putin poses with Peng Pai in China in 2000. Photo: Xinhua

RT's search for Peng caught the attention of the Chinese public. Social media users and major media outlets joined the search.

Seven days after RT's post, Hunan Province's official Red Net news agency contacted Peng Pai.

Peng recounted that as Putin left the boat and waved to the crowd, he excitedly stood on the lakeside railing to wave back. The Russian president then lifted Peng off the railing, kissed his forehead, and said something in Russian that he didn't understand at the time.

Peng said Putin seemed like "a kind uncle" and the encounter changed his life. Inspired by the meeting, Peng became interested in Russia and began studying Russian.

In 2007, Peng received the Russian Presidential Scholarship and studied civil engineering at a top university in Moscow.

Peng Pai during his studies in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Global Times

Peng Pai during his studies in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Global Times

After earning his master's degree in 2013, Peng returned to China and became the head of engineering at a large construction company in Hunan. He and his team developed a new highway railing design that received national certification, and designed an award-winning pedestrian bridge.

Peng said government officials offered to arrange a meeting between him and Putin if the Russian president attends a military parade in Beijing in September.

"I would love to see him again, to show my respect and share my growth story. I've changed a lot in the past 25 years, but Putin still looks as good as ever", Peng said.

The story resonated with the Chinese public. "Putin's hug and kiss not only changed Peng's life but also demonstrated the warmth in diplomacy", one person commented.