Man to sell medal he received for earthquake rescue efforts

A man who received a medal for his role in the relief efforts following the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008 is selling the award because his business has failed, the Beijing Times reported on Tuesday.

Yin Chunlong, a 24-year-old farmer from Ziyang city, Sichuan province, became famous after rescuing Yu Jinhua, who was buried under debris for six days, and Ma Yuanjiang, the last survivor of the Wenchuan earthquake.

Yin also helped find the body of a captain whose airplane crashed on a mountain, the report said.

He was awarded the National Model of Earthquake Disaster Relief by the central government in 2008.

The local government and entrepreneurs provided loans to help Yin start a business. He set up greenhouses to plant mushrooms and established a biotechnology company.

But due to several natural disasters, Yin said he has lost around 2 million yuan ($321,200) since 2009.

In order to make a living, Yin came to Beijing on Nov 18 to sell his medal, the Beijing Times reported.

He expects to sell it for 10 million yuan, the report said.

Yin believes the medal will be sold because it has great significance.

It will appear at auction on Dec 22, the report said.