HANGZHOU - One woman's life-saving act will be commemorated with a statue in the city of Hangzhou.

Wu Juping, who caught a toddler falling from a 10-story building in July, has since been honored across the country as "the most beautiful mother".

The 31-year-old mother broke both forearms when she cushioned the girl, nicknamed Niu Niu, who survived the accident thanks to Wu's actions.

On Thursday two possible designs for the memorial were released by Han Meilin, a renowned Chinese sculptor and painter who designed the mascot Fuwa for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"It was great to see Wu's heroic act," said Han.

Residents in Hangzhou may vote for their preferred design via text message. The result will be announced on Aug 29.

The title of the sculpture will be chosen from votes on three options: Knot of Love, Hands of an Angel and The Most Beautiful Mother's Hands.

The bronze sculpture, which will be placed at Qianjiang New City in southeast Hangzhou, will measure three to five meters in height.

Han said it may take about one month to finalize the sculpture.

Wu is currently receiving treatment at the Fuyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Bone Fracture Hospital and her situation is getting much better, said Qiu Xiaodong, Wu's doctor.

Niu Niu, the toddler, is also recovering well. She can stand upright and walk, according to her doctors at Second Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University College of Medicine.

She had spent more than two weeks in the intensive care unit after the fall, with injuries to her stomach and other organs.

The girl fell after climbing through the window of her family's apartment.

The memorial sculpture was suggested by students of Xuejun Primary School, who wrote to Huang Kunming, Party chief of Hangzhou.

"Aunt Wu's hands are the hands of an angel and hands of hope. Her selfless heroism should become the spirit of Hangzhou," the students wrote.

Huang replied to the students, praising their creativeness and accepting the suggestion.

One design for the sculpture depicts a baby held between two woman's hands, conveying the theme of love and responsibility. Another draft shows a bird standing on the fingertip of one hand, while another hand supports a baby in its palm, showing great care and love.

A staff member with the Hangzhou government who spoke on condition of anonymity said the project is running well and a lot of votes have been received in the past two days.

"The project aims to promote a sense of responsibility and values which are cherished in today's society, and we believe it will become an attractive and popular sculpture because it is designed by a renowned master and it tells a touching story," he said.

China Daily

(China Daily 08/27/2011 page1)