A Yemeni international student studying in Guangzhou has been celebrated as a hero for putting his own life at risk to save a woman from drowning, with local authorities taking steps to formally honor his bravery.
In the early morning of April 19, a young woman attempted to take her own life by jumping into the Pearl River near Binjiang East Road in Guangzhou. As her life teetered on the edge of danger, Shali, a student enrolled at Guangdong Industry & Commerce Polytechnic, did not hesitate for a moment—he dived directly into the river to come to her rescue.
Fighting against the strong current, he succeeded in keeping the woman afloat, holding her above the water’s surface until police officers arrived at the scene. Thanks to his prompt and resolute actions, the woman’s life was ultimately saved.
Merely one day later, personnel from the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau visited Shali’s university to praise him in person and officially initiate the process of nominating him for the city’s “Act of Righteous Courage” award.
Police commended Shali for embodying “a humanitarian spirit that transcends national borders,” noting that his bravery demonstrates that kindness and courage are not limited by nationality.
When questioned about the incident, Shali expressed his motives simply: “I didn’t consider nationality, language, or the danger involved—I only wanted to save her. And I would make the same choice again without hesitation.”
Shali’s university stated that it intends to promote his story as a role model, encouraging both Chinese and international students to take initiative, show compassion, and act as bridges for cultural exchange.
