What began as a split-second act of courage during a flash flood in Saudi Arabia has turned into a powerful story of human connection and cross-cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and China.
Ahmed Nasser AlAnzi, a 34-year-old administrative employee from the Hail region, recently completed his first visit to China after rescuing two Chinese engineers during severe flooding in November. The engineers’ vehicle had overturned in rushing waters, and AlAnzi, along with two friends, jumped in without hesitation to save them.
“There was no time to think. We just acted,” AlAnzi recalled. “In such moments, you see people, not nationalities.”
Rescue video sparks international attention
A video of the rescue quickly went viral across Saudi and Chinese social media platforms. In the clip, the Saudi men comfort the shaken engineers, calling them “friends” and reassuring them as they are taken to safety. The engineers were part of Chinese-backed projects linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aligns closely with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The act of bravery caught the attention of Chinese officials, who later invited AlAnzi and his friends to visit China as guests.
First impressions of modern China
During his five-day trip to Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Beijing, AlAnzi said he was struck by how deeply technology is woven into everyday life. In Shenzhen, a drone operated by Meituan delivered coffee directly to him. In Beijing, he watched street vendors complete sales instantly using QR code payments.
“Technology here makes daily life effortless,” he said.
Travelling on China’s high-speed rail to Hong Kong left another strong impression. “It’s smooth, quiet and incredibly fast — what people call Chinese speed,” he noted.
Culture, kindness and connection
Beyond infrastructure, AlAnzi highlighted the warmth of ordinary people. In a Beijing park, retirees patiently taught him diabolo, a traditional Chinese yo-yo game. He also picked up basic Mandarin phrases like nihao and xiexie.
“This trip wasn’t about repayment,” he said. “I helped their engineers in Saudi Arabia, and here they shared their culture with me.”
What started as a spontaneous rescue has evolved into a personal reminder that cooperation between nations is ultimately built on trust, empathy and human kindness.