‘Dad is a hero, so are you’: Chinese boy devastated by father’s recall to army early touches millions with display of acceptance

A video of a little boy begging his soldier dad not to leave before eventually wishing him well as he leaves to do his duty is viewed nearly 3 million times

Chinese parents working away from home and leaving kids behind for extended periods is common in China where millions migrate for work

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A little boy who threw a tantrum at his soldier father being recalled to his post before maturely accepting his father’s sense of duty has delighted millions on social media. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:00am, 4 Aug 2022Updated: 10:07am, 4 Aug 2022

A little boy in China who was left in tears while saying goodbye to his soldier father who had to return to army duty unexpectedly has touched millions.

The unnamed boy, from Qingdao in Shandong province, eastern China, welcomed his soldier father home for the holidays last Friday.

Even suffering from a fever could not dampen his spirits after his father, with whom he is very close, returned home.

However, the reunion didn’t last long as the next day his father had to return to his job with the army, Chinese news outlet people.cn reported.

The boy initially tried to block his father from leaving the family home before finally accepting that his dad had to go and graciously saying a tearful good bye. Photo: Weibo

In a video of the farewell, the boy is seen sitting on a couch, crying loudly in anguish with eyes tightly closed.