10th Anniversary of Wenchuan Earthquake: Couple pursues new life

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Ten years on and disaster-hit areas have all experienced great changes -- and that includes people's attitudes towards life. Our reporter Yang Jinghao went to Beichuan, one of the worst-hit areas to find out more.

Relieving his patients'pains with acupuncture treatment, this is what Tang Xiong has been dedicated to over the past decade.

For the 43-year-old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, his job took on a deeper meaning -- after he survived the devastating earthquake that rocked Sichuan in 2008.

TANG XIONG TCM DOCTOR "The earthquake has fundamentally changed my outlook on this profession. I used to care too much about such things as title, salary or how people think of me. But now my focus is all on my patients."

Tang explained how the rescuers and volunteers gave him a second chance at life, and the best way of rewarding them is to help out those in misery.

Tang was trapped for 139 hours before being freed from the rubble. He found strength in the encouragement he got from his wife Xie Shouju, who was rescued three days after the disaster occurred.

XIE SHOUJU WIFE OF TANG XIONG "We were both excited when we saw each other. Our hands held together tightly without any words. Then I hugged every one of the rescuers as I was really moved."

YANG JINGHAO BEICHUAN, SICHUAN PROVINCE "This is where the massive earthquake happened 10 years ago. From the ruins, we can imagine the great losses it caused. Today, the reconstructed city is developing fast in every way. But, more importantly, perhaps, most of the survivors have come out of the shadows of the tragedy, with new hopes and dreams."

Tang lost half of his right foot in the quake, but he hasn't let that stop his life or his work. He still often visits the grassroots hospitals and provides related training. His own experience even encourages some patients.

TANG XIONG TCM DOCTOR "I always tell them that now I still perform well on the job or even better and live a wonderful life, even if I had a section of my foot excised."

As China's only autonomous county of the Qiang ethnic minority, the old Beichuan remains in ruins – while the new county was constructed in a new location. Tang said he is optimistic about the development of his hometown, as well as the future of his career.

TANG XIONG TCM DOCTOR "As a doctor, I will try my best to promote the development of the acupuncture treatment in my hospital by combining it with modern medicine, and make the whole team stronger."

The couple said after the disaster, one of their wishes was to have a child. Ten years on, they consider themselves fortunate, though the scars from the earthquake will never be fully erased. What they hope is that local people will continue to explore the possibilities of their lives in a positive manner.

Yang Jinghao, CGTN, Beichuan, Sichuan Province.