Zhang Yuxiao, an 11-year-old pupil in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, has written hundreds of diary entries about daily life, as well as encouraging words to himself. [Photo by Liu Yang/for China Daily]

"Today I read a story, in which the protagonist encouraged himself' that no matter what adversity you are in, you must be patient. As long as you have confidence in yourself, you can be successful'. I believe I can do the same thing," Zhang wrote in his diary.

His grandfather, Zhang Shouben, said he regrets that he can't do more for his grandson.

"I don't have the capacity to give him more care and a better life," said Zhang Shouben said, with a sense of guilt.

"And what makes me more worried is I don't know who can continue to take care of him after die," the 70-year-old man added.