Wu Jiayong is interviewed by local media with his rice cooker at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday. Photo: guancha.cn

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'Bro Rice Cooker' wins hearts in HK amid heated protests

The migrant worker dubbed "Brother Rice Cooker" in Chinese media after he was spotted whipping up a snack with an electric cooker at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday morning has stirred up discussions over the differing views Hong Kongers have toward their northern neighbors following rallies against cross-border traders from the mainland.

Wu Jiayong, 46, of Laiwu, Shandong Province, told how he was touched by the help he received from locals after he dozed off at the airport and missed his flight back home.

"I really appreciate the help of those Hong Kong journalists who booked a hotel room for me and helped me get back home," Wu told news portal dzwww.com following his return to Laiwu.

Wu said he was traveling back from Singapore after finding work there through an agent in January.

He had hoped construction job would help him earn money for his ill parents and put his daughter through college.

However, he left a month later after discovering he would not be earning the S$2,500 ($1,800) a month the agent promised, according to dzwww.com.

After missing his flight, Wu was left with only HK$20 and 40 yuan in his pocket and a grumbling stomach.

"I thought I wouldn't spend a lot during the flight so I sent most of [my money] back home," Wu said.

Wu proved he had the perfect recipe for Internet fame on Sunday when he broke out his cooker and a bag of rice from his carry-on and added water from the airport bathrooms.

Wu's story of resourcefulness and hardship won sympathy from Hongkongers on social media.

The comments come in the wake of recent protests this month rallying against the increased number of parallel-traders from the mainland, which swamp the city to buy goods in bulk and flip them for profit back home.

 "If he was a foreigner, he would be applauded for his resourcefulness and courage … I think many people would like to buy him a meal. We only hate those arrogant and ostentatious people," Hong Kong resident Betbet Chiu commented on Facebook.

However, some on the Chinese mainland felt the friendliness of Hongkongers comes from a sense of superiority. "Hongkongers are caring if you lead a miserable life," Sina Weibo user leolhyu said.