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Zoey Zhang

A 21-year-old man from central China, whose greatest wish is for his parents to stop having more children, sells pork to support his six younger siblings.
In April, Sun Pan, from Shaoyang in Hunan province, captured national attention for shouldering family responsibilities as the eldest son.
According to the mainland media outlet Jimu News, his 18-year-old second sister suffered a childhood fall that disabled her right arm and his youngest brother, born this year, was diagnosed with Down syndrome.
His other younger siblings are still in school. The household also includes his grandparents, though his grandfather is paralysed.

After failing the gaokao, China’s vital college entrance examination, Sun gave up the chance to retake it and instead took on the family burden.
His father, a butcher, has handed over all work responsibilities to him, while his mother stays home to care for the children and elderly relatives.
Sun wakes at 2am daily to slaughter animals and prepare the meat, with his father’s help.
Two hours later, he returns home to help his disabled sister before taking her with him to the market.

Concerned she might be mocked or bullied, he keeps her close to help with the business.
By midday, most of the pork is sold. Afternoons are spent live-streaming sales and packaging orders.
Sun reportedly works up to 18 hours a day, earning as much as 700 yuan (US$100), covering the bulk of the family’s expenses.
Many regular customers praise his diligence and maturity, impressed that someone so young supports an entire family.
But Sun admits he feels conflicted and burdened by “enormous financial pressure”.
“I want to go to university like my peers, or find a job to build a future for myself, not just work desperately to keep this family afloat,” he told the media.
Though of dating age, he has no time to consider relationships.

Sun’s biggest hope is to convince his parents to stop having children, allowing him to focus on raising his six siblings.
His parents, 48 and 44, told the media they still hope to have more children.
His father believes a larger family increases the chances of future success, while his mother says a big family fosters confidence and emphasises that having children is a joint decision.
In traditional Chinese culture, many descendants are seen as auspicious, symbolising prosperity and stability.
However, online users have criticised the arrangement.
One person said: “Sun has taken his father’s place and responsibilities. He deserves his own life.”
“His parents’ mindset is outdated and wrong. For many ordinary or even poor families, having more children may only replicate hardship,” said another.

A few days after the story went viral, reports revealed that Sun’s family is not impoverished.
Jiupai News reported the family owns several shop fronts and his father has declined government subsidies.
Sun, who has nearly 150,000 social media followers, also live-streams daily necessities in addition to selling pork.
Some netizens expressed scepticism, with one writing: “Helping his parents run the pork business is Sun’s own choice. His parents also have reproductive freedom. There is nothing to complain about.”
“But Sun keeps emphasising the ‘conflict’ with his parents, which could be seen as an attempt to elicit sympathy.”


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A 21-year-old man from China supports his six younger siblings, including a sister with a disabled hand and a brother with Down syndrome, by selling pork. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Sun Pan, above, who is said to work 18 hours a day, holds his baby brother. Photo: Douyin

Sun takes a break from work to eat. He slaughters pigs before butchering them for sale. Photo: Douyin

Sun, above, interacts with a customer while selling pork at his market stall. Photo: Douyin

Family affair: Sun, far left holding a baby, pictured after a meal with his close relatives. Photo: Douyin

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People & Culture

Social Welfare

With a physically disabled sister and a young brother with Down syndrome, eldest son faces ‘enormous’ financial pressure


With a physically disabled sister and a young brother with Down syndrome, eldest son faces ‘enormous’ financial pressure.


China birth rate

Chinese man supports 6 siblings while parents want more kids, say it boosts chance of success

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}With a physically disabled sister and a young brother with Down syndrome, eldest son faces ‘enormous’ financial pressure

With a physically disabled sister and a young brother with Down syndrome, eldest son faces ‘enormous’ financial pressure