‘Mud Buddha’: China official covered in sludge during mudslide while helping villagers evacuate

South China Morning Post

South China Morning Post

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June 2, 2026

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lean left
‘Mud Buddha’: China official covered in sludge during mudslide while helping villagers evacuate

A valiant official in China has been dubbed “Mud Buddha” after a photograph emerged of him covered in sludge while he was averting disaster by evacuating residents before a catastrophic landslide. From the evening of May 17 to the early morning of May 18, a downpour hit Shanghongyan Village in Maguan county, southwestern Yunnan province. At its height, the level of precipitation reached 256mm, the People’s Daily reported. Tian Ruliang, the village director, left home three times after 10pm on...

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This article was published by South China Morning Post, a source frequently categorized with a lean left bias based in Hong Kong. Our narrative intelligence engine continuously monitors coverage from this outlet to track framing, bias, and rhetorical patterns. Our initial algorithmic scan of this specific piece did not flag high-confidence rhetorical techniques, suggesting a generally straightforward reporting style or neutral framing. By understanding the editorial perspective of South China Morning Post, readers can better contextualize the information presented and compare it across our broader media matrix to find the real narrative.

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