A young man who dropped out of school and came to check out job opportunities in Pingtan was saved from the brink of starvation and then sent back to his home in north China's Shaanxi province.

Chen Feng, 20, arrived in Pingtan on May 22, and lost his belongings including his wallet, ID card and cellphone in Haiyu square at Longfengtou Beach on May 27.

Instead of seeking assistance from the police, Chen wandered the streets for two days until he collapsed from hunger two days later.

Passers-by alerted the police, who came to Chen's aid, contacted his family, and then bought him a bus ticket to Fuzhou and gave him 500 yuan.

Chen later said he had learnt his lesson and promised to return to school.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman