A street in New York's China town was renamed "The Zack Zeng Way" on Saturday in honor of Zack Zeng,a Chinese American who sacrificed his life to rescue other victims during the Sept. 11 terror attack in 2001.

At a renaming ceremony in an intersection of Chinatown, New York City Council member Allan Gerson said the street renaming creates a visible tribute that will remind younger generations the years of the inspiring heroism and humanity displayed by so many New Yorkers and exemplified by the brave actions of Zeng on Sept. 11, 2001.

Another Council member John Liu said Zeng epitomizes the heroism and sacrifice of Sept. 11. "The people of New York offer this small token of our appreciation for Zack's bravery that day. While we cannot bring him back to life, Zack's memory will live on and hopefully inspire others by his selfless example," he added.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Liu Biwei, consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in New York, said Zeng is the pride of both the Americans and the Chinese. His name will for ever leave its mark in New York's Chinatown and live in people's hearts. 

The renaming of the street on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attack is highly significant in that it came as a recognition of Zeng's heroic deeds and serves as a witness of Chinese Americans' contribution to the United States.

Zeng's mother, Cen Jiaoxian, thanked those who helped her tide over the difficult time of her bereavement and make the renaming possible. She said her son's actions testified to the fact that immigrants are willing and able to contribute to their new country and even dedicate their lives. She said she hoped Zeng's selfless devotion to others will inspire younger generations to work for a better world.

Zeng, an immigrant from China's Guangdong Province, came to the United States in the late 1980s. After graduating from the University of Rochester with an MBA in 1998, he began working in the Bank of New York, which is two blocks from the World Trade Center. On Sept. 11, 2001, he risked his life by assisting a firefighter in helping two injured women and later he returned to the scene which was filmed by chance by Fox 5 TV channel.

Several months later, the New York police informed Zeng's mother that part of her son's remains had been recovered from the ruins and identified through a DNA test.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2004)