Xian Jiaoping (www.sohu.com): Some believe that Liu Yanbing should be sent to university without taking the gaokao. After all, in the face of an extremely dangerous situation, this young student saved many lives by risking his own. Thus, it would seem that any rewards he receives will never be sufficient.

Meanwhile, others believe that while heroic actions are one thing, whether or not Liu should go to a favorable college because of them is another. From the moral perspective, Liu has already passed a very important examination and achieved a high score in aptitude. He deserves to be rewarded for his good deed and ethics. However, when it comes to the college entrance examination, there are different rules one must follow—the gaokao is designed to help colleges choose the best students that meet their academic standards. The education authorities' decision to arrange a separate gaokao for him is proper, as direct recruitment by a good college would be unfair to other students who still have to compete fiercely with others. Perhaps Liu will also feel more comfortable that way.

Thus, the two prevailing opinions on the matter both seem reasonable.

Take into account, though, that today, China's college entrance examination is expected to achieve two goals: First, to separate out the elite and talented students based on their academic performance and capability; second, to give those capable students in lower socioeconomic classes the chance to rise higher. In accordance with the first mission, if the young hero is given a pass for his academic achievements because of his laudable deed, it's unreasonable and also unfair to other gaokao participants.

Liu has set a good moral example to students across the country, and should therefore be compensated for the pain he suffered and his contribution to society. However, as for exactly how to compensate him, there should be more prudent ways—particularly when it comes to things like college and future employment—that don't involve such highly competitive elements. If, in order to encourage a certain behavior, these competitive tests are involved as rewards, the final result may be the opposite of what was expected.

Li Shaoqiang (Beijing Youth Daily): Having access to such definable things, like economic growth or scientific and technological progress in society, does not mean we can ignore more intangible human advancements like heightened morality and bravery. Ethical traits are always valuable in all walks of life. Individuals can only achieve a high level of personal development through the continued improvement of their moral standards.

These days, people tend to value material benefits over ethical traits. For most senior middle school students, to get a high score on the gaokao is the highest possible goal. Liu's behavior tells us that apart from academic performance, one's sense of right and wrong also matters. The latter is an integral foundation for an individual and society's progress as a whole.

Mao Jianguo (Legal Daily): To reward a student for his heroic deeds will encourage more people to follow suit. The gaokao has always played the role of the baton, encouraging people to achieve high academic success, and nowadays, the test is also expected to act as a guiding light when it comes to improving ethical standards. To generously reward this young man by offering him opportunities to enter good universities will encourage more people to behave similarly in dangerous situations.

Some worry that if Liu Yanbing is given easy access to good universities for acting as a good Samaritan, though, the equality and solemnity of the college entrance examination will be adversely affected. Currently, students can be awarded extra points in the college entrance examination if they do especially well in certain areas, like sports or the sciences. If one student can benefit from exceptional athleticism, why can't another receive extra points for courageousness?

To recruit Liu into Tsinghua University may be a stretch, as this is China's top university and enrolls only the highest echelon of academics. Therefore, it's necessary to work out an explicit outline for the future in which students will be given extra points at different levels based on clear indexes. At that time, as for how to reward a student's especially heroic deeds, there will be a clear system. Not only those in the media spotlight will be rewarded, but all students who have made extensive efforts in a particular field will be given the extra points they deserve.

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