The Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Sunday unveiled a monument in Rason to honor a Chinese citizen, Zhang Jingrong, who died after helping save three drowning DPRK girls two years ago.

Attending the ceremony were Tian Baozhen, the Chinese consul-general in Chongjin; officials from Yanbian Korea autonomous prefecture of Jilin province; Zhang's family members; and DPRK officials from Rason.

Xinhua News Agency quoted a local DPRK official at the ceremony as saying that Zhang's "international spirit" will always live in the hearts of both the Chinese and Korean people.

Zhang's son Zhang Peng and one of the three rescued Korean girls also delivered speeches at the ceremony, Xinhua said.

On Aug 15, 2010, Zhang Jingrong, who was working in Rason, and another Chinese citizen, Ruan Xingwang, saved three drowning girls in Rason before Zhang Jingrong’s death.

DRPK has awarded the two Chinese citizens medals of friendship in recognition of their brave international spirit.