A Russian media outlet trying to locate a Chinese boy photographed with President Vladimir Putin 25 years ago has gained significant attention on mainland Chinese social media.
The boy, now a man and working as an engineer, remembers the significant moment when the president kissed his forehead and confirms the encounter influenced his future path, South China Morning Post reported.
On July 17, RT (Russia Today TV) initiated a "missing person search" on a prominent social media platform.
Peng Pai pictured with President Putin's hands resting on his shoulders a quarter of a century ago in a Beijing park.
The post detailed Putin's first official Beijing visit as President on July 17, 2000, at age 47.
During an impromptu rowing session in a park following a Forbidden City tour, security personnel couldn't clear the area, resulting in tourist gatherings.
The occasion featured a notable interaction between Putin, a 12-year-old Chinese boy and his father, which photographers documented.
The young boy was identified as Peng Pai from Yueyang City, Hunan province, central China.
"Later in life, Peng went on to study engineering at a top university in Moscow. RT's post stated: "Finding him on the same day, 25 years later, would be truly meaningful."
The search garnered widespread attention from major media outlets and internet users.
Hunan's official media platform, Red Net, successfully contacted Peng Pai on July 25.
Peng described standing on a stone railing by the lake to wave at Putin after he disembarked from the boat.
Putin lifted him from the railing, kissed his forehead and spoke Russian words Peng couldn't comprehend then.
"President Putin was like a kind uncle to me, and I feel so lucky to have been lifted out of that crowd by him," Peng said.
The encounter sparked Peng's interest in Russia and Russian language studies. He received the Russian Presidential Scholarship in 2007 and studied bridge and tunnel engineering in Moscow.
After completing his master's degree in 2013, Peng returned to China, becoming an engineering department head at a major Hunan construction company.
His team developed a patented bridge railing and designed an award-winning pedestrian landscape bridge.
Officials have suggested arranging a meeting between Peng and President Putin during a potential September military parade visit to Beijing.
Peng expressed: "I am really looking forward to the chance to meet him again, express my respect, and share my story of growth. I have changed a lot over the years, but President Putin still looks as handsome as ever."
The boy, now a man and working as an engineer, remembers the significant moment when the president kissed his forehead and confirms the encounter influenced his future path, South China Morning Post reported.
On July 17, RT (Russia Today TV) initiated a "missing person search" on a prominent social media platform.
🇨🇳🤝🇷🇺During his first visit to China in 2000, President Putin took a photo with a Chinese boy
— Hawkeye1812Z (@Hawkeye1745) July 27, 2025
RT China published a post asking people to find this boy, Peng Pai. The post went viral on Chinese social media, and he was found within some hours.
It turned out that he is now a… pic.twitter.com/0MQOYGGzOb
Peng Pai pictured with President Putin's hands resting on his shoulders a quarter of a century ago in a Beijing park.
The post detailed Putin's first official Beijing visit as President on July 17, 2000, at age 47.
During an impromptu rowing session in a park following a Forbidden City tour, security personnel couldn't clear the area, resulting in tourist gatherings.
The occasion featured a notable interaction between Putin, a 12-year-old Chinese boy and his father, which photographers documented.
The young boy was identified as Peng Pai from Yueyang City, Hunan province, central China.
"Later in life, Peng went on to study engineering at a top university in Moscow. RT's post stated: "Finding him on the same day, 25 years later, would be truly meaningful."
The search garnered widespread attention from major media outlets and internet users.
Hunan's official media platform, Red Net, successfully contacted Peng Pai on July 25.
Peng described standing on a stone railing by the lake to wave at Putin after he disembarked from the boat.
Putin lifted him from the railing, kissed his forehead and spoke Russian words Peng couldn't comprehend then.
"President Putin was like a kind uncle to me, and I feel so lucky to have been lifted out of that crowd by him," Peng said.
The encounter sparked Peng's interest in Russia and Russian language studies. He received the Russian Presidential Scholarship in 2007 and studied bridge and tunnel engineering in Moscow.
After completing his master's degree in 2013, Peng returned to China, becoming an engineering department head at a major Hunan construction company.
His team developed a patented bridge railing and designed an award-winning pedestrian landscape bridge.
Officials have suggested arranging a meeting between Peng and President Putin during a potential September military parade visit to Beijing.
Peng expressed: "I am really looking forward to the chance to meet him again, express my respect, and share my story of growth. I have changed a lot over the years, but President Putin still looks as handsome as ever."
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