School pupil carries disabled best friend to lessons for three years and pair get top marks

A kind-hearted school pupil who carried his friend to lessons for three years is celebrating after the pair achieved top marks in exams.

Zhang Chi, 19, suffers from muscular dystrophy, which means he has severely weakened muscles and is unable to get around on his own.

So since 2012, his dedicated pal Xie Xu, 18, has given him a piggyback everywhere he goes at Daxu High School in Jiangsu, China.

The pair live in dorms near the school, where Xie is often seen carrying Zhang to the cafeteria for breakfast.

He also helps him wash his clothes and brings him three meals each day, reports Shanghaiist.

Xie carries Zhang, who hasn't missed a lesson in three years, back and forth at least 12 times each day - for over 200 days every year.

And what's more remarkable the pair are amongst the brightest students in their school after achieving top marks in their exams.

But the duo will soon be splitting when they go to different universities.

Xie has applied for the Nanjing Polytechnic Institute, while Zhang will be sitting China's intensive college exams.

Daxu High's assistant headteacher Guo Chunxi said: "The story of the two students is so inspiring and touching. They aren't family, but [Xie] has been doing this for three years.

"He's the most beautiful student. He also exerts positive influence on other students, who readily help Zhang. With their assistance, Zhang has never missed out on one single class."

Their story quickly went viral on Chinese social media site Weibo after tugging on the heartstrings of its users.

One user wrote: "We should learn from their friendship. In today's society, Zhang's dedication is especially precious."

Another added: "He's the most beautiful student in China."