According to the Russia Today, in the summer of 2000, during Putin"s first visit to China as president, he encountered 10-year-old Peng Pai at Beihai Park in Beijing. At the time, Peng"s father had lifted him onto a railing, and Putin then walked over, lifted him down, and posed for a photograph with him. Today, Peng is a senior engineer at a company in Hunan Province.

　　On Wednesday, Putin met Peng again at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. According to the official website of the Kremlin, Putin said when meeting Peng: "I am very glad to see you." "To be honest, meeting you is a great surprise for me, but I am very happy about it."

　　Unlike their brief encounter 26 years ago, Peng had more opportunities for direct communication this time.

　　He said that during the meeting, he shared with Putin details about his studies and work over the years, and the president expressed approval. "Today I told President Putin that I had studied at a university in Moscow, where I experienced the care and support that Russian teachers and students gave to us international students. I also brought the knowledge and rigorous attitude I learned there back to my hometown. When President Putin heard that I had returned home to work and contribute to the development of my hometown, he expressed his approval," Peng said.

　　According to media reports, after graduating from high school, Peng successfully obtained a Russian presidential scholarship and went to Russia to study. He later enrolled at Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University, majoring in bridge and traffic tunnel engineering. Peng told the Global Times that his encounter with Putin at Beihai Park 26 years ago became an important turning point that changed the course of his life. Since then, he had taken the initiative to learn about Russian history and culture, and later spent seven years studying and living in Russia.