BEIJING: A viral photo of a Chinese boy whose hair is encrusted with ice after his hour-long walk to school in freezing temperatures has stirred debate about the impact of poverty on children in rural regions. Wang Fuman, a primary school student in southwest Yunnan province, gained the moniker “Frost Boy” after his principal shared a photo online of his rosy cheeks and icy hair, Chinese media reported this week. The temperature was -9 degrees Celsius (16 Fahrenheit) the day the photo was taken, China News Service reported. Poverty alleviation has been one of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s banner initiatives since taking office in 2012. Calling for the establishment of a “moderately prosperous society,” Xi has vowed to wipe out rural poverty by 2020.

Source: Manila Times January 12, 2018 16:07 UTC