Low-income Chinese girl aces gaokao, inspires live-streamers offering financial help

A girl from a disadvantaged rural family in central China topped this year’s gaokao, attracting numerous live-streamers eager to finance her education, which she declined.The home of 18-year-old secondary school graduate Han Yaping in a Henan province village was recently bustling with live-streamers.This attention came after Han achieved an impressive score of 699 out of 750 in the gaokao, China’s national college entrance exam.She has received offers from China’s two leading universities, Tsinghua University and Peking University.Han’s accomplishment is particularly remarkable given her family’s impoverished circumstances.Her mother suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine, preventing her from working. Her father, who earns a living through farming and odd jobs, serves as the family’s sole provider. Han also has a younger sister.Han’s achievement is especially striking considering her family’s financial struggles; her mother battles inflammatory arthritis affecting her spine, while her father is the family’s sole provider. Photo: HandoutHan studied diligently, and in light of her family’s financial situation, her school waived her tuition fees, provided free accommodation, and offered her a monthly allowance.Her father mentioned that they gave her pocket money ranging from 10 to 20 yuan (US$1.5 to US$3) each week, but she rarely spent it and returned what she could every time she came home.Unlike many of her classmates, Han did not have any extracurricular tutors.Before the gaokao, Han shared that she did not own a mobile phone. When asked for advice to share with other students, she remarked: “If you do not study hard now, you might struggle in the future,” suggesting that many young people’s obsession with their phones distracts them from their studies.Further ReadingHan’s comments sparked intense debate. Some criticised her for being “narrow-minded,” arguing that “a smartphone is merely a tool.”Han has expressed a strong interest in pursuing medicine, motivated by her mother’s health challenges, although she is also considering a future in engineering. Photo: HandoutOne comment stated: “Even if a student studies hard, they may still face hardships in the future.”Others expressed empathy towards Han.“For a student lacking financial or educational support from her family, it’s common to push themselves tirelessly for a life-changing opportunity.”The gaokao is widely viewed as a pivotal chance for students from underprivileged backgrounds.Han indicated she was torn between pursuing medicine or engineering. She expressed a desire to study medicine due to her mother’s health condition.Many medical professionals have reached out to offer guidance online, sharing insider knowledge to assist her in making an informed decision.The walls of Han’s home are adorned with award certificates she has received over the years. Her parents proudly affirm their daughter’s accomplishments.The walls of Han’s home showcase a collection of award certificates that reflect her dedication and academic excellence over the years. Photo: HandoutMany live-streamers flocked to her home, seeking exposure through her new-found fame, while some extended offers to donate funds for her education.Han expressed gratitude for their kindness but asserted her desire to rely on her own efforts. She mentioned wanting to work part-time while studying. The universities have also reportedly offered financial aid to persuade her.“I believe knowledge can change lives. I am determined to improve my family’s situation and provide my parents with a better life through education,” Han stated.