A taxi driver in China has been applauded online for waiving the fare of a young boy and teaching him how to communicate when he is short of money.

The video of the incident from the taxi’s surveillance camera has trended on social media after it was reported by state media CCTV, garnering more than 1.2 million likes.

On the afternoon of May 17, a boy, who is about 10 years old, took a taxi alone in Zunyi, southwestern Guizhou province.

While stuck in a traffic jam he became anxious and called his mother on his smartphone.

“Mum, the traffic is bad, all the lights are red. There is still a long way to home, but the fare already reached 9.4 yuan (US$1.3) and I only have 10 yuan in my pocket,” said the boy.