By Alice Yan
A man in China has honoured his education-starved farmer father at his university graduation ceremony, moving the hearts of millions of mainland internet users.
Yang Guozhong, 25, graduated from Guizhou Minzu University in Guiyang of Guizhou province, southwestern China, with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in June, Jiupai News reported.
His father had hardly travelled before due to the cost and because he needed to attend to his crops and livestock.
To convince his father to attend, Yang told him that his signature was needed to ensure he received the graduation certificate.
On June 17, Yang rented a car and drove back to his home in a village in the southwestern part of Guizhou province, about 300 km from Guiyang, to pick up his 70-year-old father.
The considerate son drove slowly because his father suffers from car sickness.
Wearing an academic gown and cap arranged by his son, Yang was the only parent at the commencement ceremony the next day.
His son, who initially stayed with his classmates at the behest of his teacher, sat beside his father after getting the teacher鈥檚 permission.
After receiving the graduation certificate from one of the university鈥檚 top academics, Yang gave it to his dad, saying: 鈥淔ather, this honour belongs to you.鈥
A video posted on social media also shows Yang Junior giving his father an eye-opening tour around the city of Guiyang.
鈥淢y father was amazed at the tall buildings,鈥 Yang junior was quoted as saying. He added that it was the first time his father had stayed in a hotel.
The son paid for everything on the trip after he managed to earn 5,000 yuan (US$700) by delivering food in his spare time over the past few months.
He wanted to take his father to Beijing after the graduation, but he had to drop the plan due to a shortage of money.
In September, Yang junior will go to southeastern Jiangxi province to work.
He said he was surprised that his video had been watched by so many people online.
鈥淢any young people dislike and avoid communicating with old people. I think our society needs more positive energy. We should care about the elderly members of our family and should feel grateful,鈥 he said.
During their trip, his mother looked after their livestock back home.
Yang, who has five elder sisters, said his father is always good-tempered and never scolds or beats him.
鈥淢y eldest sister financially supports my education and my father gives me a warm home,鈥 said Yang.