y Chen Zhaorong (陈昭荣), rather than "Shaorong Chen."
Here is what is publicly known about him and his situation:
1. Background and Location: Chen Zhaorong is a farmer from Wenguang Village, Chendian Town, Chaonan District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province, China www.lifeweek.com.cn.
Around 2008, he gained widespread viral attention for building and test-flying a homemade helicopter, which netizens dubbed the "most awesome self-made super helicopter in history" www.hi-id.com.
While you mentioned a basement, reports from the time indicate he primarily worked on the project in a workshop/studio on the fourth floor of his family's multi-story home www.lifeweek.com.cn.
2. Current Status and PrivacyAfter a test-flight incident where the helicopter dropped, Chen experienced a massive influx of media attention and visits from self-proclaimed "flight enthusiasts." According to a detailed report by Sanlian Life Week, he became deeply uncomfortable with this fame www.lifeweek.com.cn. He began keeping his home's iron gates tightly locked, actively avoided reporters, and expressed that the constant intrusions had deeply frustrated his parents and wife www.lifeweek.com.cn. At the time, he publicly stated that he intended to return to a conventional, quiet life and would no longer build aircraft www.lifeweek.com.cn.
3. How to Connect
Because Chen Zhaorong has intentionally withdrawn from the public eye for over a decade to protect his family's privacy, there is no public contact information available for him. Given his well-documented history of rejecting unsolicited visits and media inquiries, attempting to track him down, contact him, or visit his village would likely be intrusive and unwelcome. The most respectful course of action is to honor his stated desire to live a normal, private life away from the spotlight. If you are interested in his story for research or documentary purposes, your best (and least intrusive) option would be to contact local cultural or historical archives in Shantou, or reach out to the journalists who originally covered his story (such as Sanlian Life Week), though they are also bound by ethical standards to protect his current privacy.
