China ‘Spider-Woman’ single mum cleans, repairs high-rises to support disabled son, ailing mother

A single mother in eastern China has won widespread admiration online for her remarkable dedication, braving a job suspended hundreds of metres in the air to support her family. In Hefei, Anhui province, Xu Junyun works on the exterior walls of high-rise buildings, secured by two safety ropes. Known online as “Spider-Woman,” this 36-year-old cleans, repairs, and waterproofs structures to fund her son Xiaoyu’s treatment, who has cerebral palsy. After graduating from university, Xu initially...

By Zoey Zhang