Major Jean-Guillaume Houel has become a symbol of the bravery and compassion shown by foreign volunteers in dealing with the horrific aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008.
The French army doctor was part of an 11-member medical rescue team sent by Paris to help survivors 13 days after the 8-magnitude tremor that left almost 90,000 people dead or missing.
Although just one of hundreds of experts who arrived from overseas, 34-year-old Houel's contribution to the relief efforts is still lauded by Chinese people.
During their time working at a hospital in Guangyuan, one of the cities worst affected, the French team treated more than 200 people. Yet it was Houel's heroics on May 27 - two weeks after the earthquake - that touched the hearts of many people. On that day, the doctor was escorting a young patient in an elevator at People's Hospital of Guangyuan when it was rocked by a 5-magnitude aftershock, severing the power supply. Trapped in the elevator, hospital staff said Houel attempted to calm the girl, who was already suffering serious mental trauma from the original May 12 tremor.
Power was eventually restored and people began to rush out from the building - but Houel refused to leave and insisted on staying with the patient, who he felt was in no condition to be moved.
＂It was one of the most difficult moments during our missions,＂ said the French doctor ahead of the second anniversary of the Sichuan disaster on Wednesday.
The most recent praise for Houel came in December, when Rear Admiral Xu Lili of the Chinese navy visited France. During a lecture on mutual understanding, Xu said the doctor's courage under such difficult conditions touched everyone who was there to witness it.
Houel's story is a symbol of the friendship between China and France, she said.
＂I feel very honored to be remembered by such an important figure in the Chinese military,＂ said the French medic. ＂It's also an honor for all French citizens and soldiers who participate in international rescue.＂
Houel still keeps in touch with Chinese friends he made during the mission and said he was grateful for the Chinese people's hospitality.
＂I hope that all those who suffered physically or mentally from the earthquake will be cured of their wounds,＂ he said.
Research & Consulting