The 17-year-old delivery worker said: “The gold bar was very heavy. I thought whoever lost it must be very worried, so I handed it over to the police.”

He turned it in to officer Hou Guodong, who reviewed security footage and used loudspeakers to find the owner.

A few hours later the owner came to claim the gold after providing proof of purchase and identity.

The owner offered 1,000 yuan ($140) as a reward but Xiao refused.

He said: “It was the first time I have seen such a large gold bar. I’m happy I could help someone. It feels like fate.”

Xiao, born in Chao Shan, Guangdong, works as a delivery worker in Shenzhen. His company plans to reward his honesty.

His manager said despite being new at his job, Xiao is responsible and always delivers on time.

Shuibei, where the gold bar was found, is the country’s largest gold trading and crafting hub, accounting for 70-80% of the country’s transactions.

The incident quickly became a trending topic online, with many admiring the young man’s honesty.