On the morning of the 9th, Huang Minghong, a young man from Hunan known as the "Fire Safety Xu Xiake," arrived in Kangding, Garzê Prefecture, Sichuan by bicycle. He visited the fire brigade barracks to share experiences with the officers and soldiers.
With his robust physique, flowing long beard, and outdoor apparel... Huang Minghong’s distinctive attire immediately caught the attention of many soldiers, who flocked around to talk with him. "Riding a bicycle across China to understand the current state of fire safety in the country and promote fire safety knowledge is the purpose of my journey," Huang explained. Only Garzê Prefecture and Liangshan Prefecture in Sichuan remain unvisited. Upon arriving in Garzê, he immediately noticed the uniqueness of the plateau. The young man referred to as "the backpack" then handed over a business card printed with the words "Dial 119 for fire emergencies, pay attention to fire safety, cherish life."
After graduating from the Chinese Department of Hunan Normal University, Huang Minghong was assigned to teach at a school in Huaihua City, Hunan Province. A scene in which firefighters risked their lives to rush into a blaze to rescue civilians deeply moved him, inspiring the idea of promoting fire safety by cycling. Starting on October 1, 1997, Huang embarked on his "Fire Safety Journey Across Ten Thousand Miles," using the method of solo cycling to spread fire safety concepts and enhance public awareness.
In every city he visits, Huang Minghong teams up with local cycling enthusiasts to educate citizens about fire safety, distribute promotional leaflets, and use his camera and notebook to document the situation and gather local fire safety materials. Over the past 15 years, Huang has cycled more than 300,000 kilometers, visiting the fire brigades or battalions of over 4,000 provinces, cities (prefectures), and counties across the country. He has worn out more than 20 bicycles and taken over a million photos along the way.
"Besides differences in geography and climate, the most striking thing is the bilingual Tibetan-Chinese signs promoting fire safety that you see everywhere," said Huang Minghong. Visiting Garzê Prefecture, he discovered that the local fire safety campaigns are quite unique. He also showed photos of fire safety slogans he took at some temples in Kangding. He plans to spend two months visiting 19 grassroots fire brigades on the Kamba Plateau to learn about the real lives of firefighters there.
"My wish is to write a book about the current state of fire safety in China or establish a public welfare-oriented fire safety education museum after completing my dream of cycling to every fire brigade in the country," said Huang Minghong.