Editor's note: On May 12, 2008, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck Wenchuan, a mountainous county in China's southwestern Sichuan province, leaving more than 80,000 people dead or missing and millions separated from their families. With a direct economic loss of about 845 billion yuan, the earthquake is one of the worst natural disasters in the country's history.

For survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake, rebuilding their lives has been an incredibly difficult journey. Yet, through perseverance and courage, many have turned a page today.

As we commemorate the 15th anniversary of the devastating earthquake and also the 15th National Disaster Prevention and Relief Day, China.org.cn reviews stories about a selection of survivors and their post-quake lives.

Xie Haifeng adjusts his prosthetic leg as he prepares for dance rehearsal at the Sichuan Song and Dance Theatre, Chengdu, Sichuan province, Dec. 16, 2021. [IC photo]  

Xie Haifeng — who was 15 years old in 2008 — was left with a broken leg after his school building collapsed, and had no choice but to have it amputated. He began his career in the arts in March 2010 when he was invited to join a local art troupe for people with disabilities and learn "bian lian," an ancient Chinese dramatic art featuring face-changing performance.

Xie then started learning how to dance in 2012 after joining the Sichuan Provincial Art Troupe, and has been a professional dancer with the Sichuan Song and Dance Theatre since 2016.

"I'm just the same as any other person," he said. "It’s not strange to lose a part of the body, just like how ordinary people lose their hair; when other people run, I’m also on my way," he added.

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