A businessman in Chongqing municipality has spent some 400,000 yuan (S$87,640) so far to put 15 poor students through school during the past seven years.

Gong Yulin, 37, a resident in Hongya county, Sichuan province, came to Chongqing in 2000 for business when he learned that a college student surnamed Ma was in need. Ma worked as a family teacher for his son and had to quit school due to the cost. He decided to pay for Ma's education in 2001 and now the student is pursuing a PhD at Beijing University, also with Gong's support.

The businessman reportedly supported 14 other needy students.

"We are not so rich, but I understand and support him because we once suffered from poverty too," said Gong's wife.