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Zoey Zhang

A nine-year-old boy from northwestern China who bravely confronted bullies during a class meeting has received praise online and apologies from his tormentors.
According to the mainland media outlet, Shanshi News, the boy, Mao Shilin, is from Xian in Shaanxi province and is a primary school class monitor.
His mother, surnamed Zhang, described him as a brave, upright and responsible leader despite his shy nature.
Recently, during a cruel prank, someone wrote “2B”, meaning “fool”, on the back of Mao’s uniform.

The other boys saw it and taunted him, calling him an “idiot”, which he struggled to cope with.
Fearing his clothes would not dry properly after washing, Mao kept quiet for two days before telling his parents.
When he finally opened up to his mother, she was heartbroken.
She considered reaching out to the school, but Mao insisted on handling the situation himself during the next class meeting.
In a viral video, Mao is seen standing at a podium addressing the bullies, calmly expressing how they had left him helpless and sad.
He urged his classmates to imagine how they would feel if someone had written on their clothes and mocked them. “Would you be happy?” he asked.

Mao reminded everyone that he always worked to protect their interests.
“When you are bullied, come to me and I will help. But now, is this how you treat me?” he said.
After his speech, the tormentors were in tears and apologised.
The teacher praised Mao for his maturity, calling him a “man”, and adding that as a class monitor he gave others a sense of security.
Mao’s mother wrote in an online post that she was moved to tears by her son’s bravery.
She said: “My son went from silent sufferer to brave fighter. He walked this path alone for two days. Standing at the podium to speak for himself, he did something I would not have dared to do in 40 years. It is amazing.”
The story has caused a buzz on mainland social media, with the video amassing more than 2 million likes.
One online observer said: “This boy has a strong heart, stable emotions and clear logic.”

While another wrote: “His speech can inspire courage in other children who face bullying.”
“The teacher and mother’s support was also commendable, giving the boy the opportunity to speak out,” added a third.
Teenage bullying incidents are common in China and sometimes have tragic outcomes.
In March 2024, a secondary school student from Hebei province near Beijing was killed and buried by three classmates after enduring constant bullying.
In October the same year, a 13-year-old boy from Anhui province in central China was choked to death after a conflict with classmates at school.


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Courageous 9-year-old who was branded an ‘idiot’ by classmates hides pain from parents; reduces persecutors to tears with moving speech


Courageous 9-year-old who was branded an ‘idiot’ by classmates hides pain from parents; reduces persecutors to tears with moving speech.


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China boy addresses bullies in class meeting, earns admiration, apologies from tormentors

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Courageous 9-year-old who was branded an ‘idiot’ by classmates hides pain from parents; reduces persecutors to tears with moving speech

Courageous 9-year-old who was branded an ‘idiot’ by classmates hides pain from parents; reduces persecutors to tears with moving speech