Traffic police in Wuhan, Hubei province, have fulfilled the wish of an ailing 5-year-old girl by inviting her to become a traffic officer for a day.

Liu Yihan, nicknamed Xiao Nuomi — or "cute glutinous rice ball" in Chinese — was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that chiefly affects children under age 5, in November last year. She has a particular love of traffic police born of her desire to keep everyone safe.

Liu never complains to her mother, Hu Yuting, who is a middle school teacher in Xiaogan city, but her desire to be a traffic officer really touched her mother's heart.

"I hope her dream is strong enough to get her through treatment, which will be difficult," Hu said. When she told her daughter's story to the traffic police brigade in Qiaokou district, the community where the family lives, they were moved and promised to help Liu's wish come true.

Du Zewen, an officer with the brigade, said that the chief officers were determined to help the mother and the little girl, telling the other members of the brigade that "we must help the little girl's dream of becoming a traffic officer come true, especially one who is so young and is suffering from such a painful disease".

On the afternoon of Sept 20, Liu and her mother were warmly welcomed by the brigade, who dressed her in a specially made uniform and declared her a "visiting policewoman".

Little Liu was taken through the daily routine of a traffic officer and taught a few basic regulations. She also pledged an oath during a mock inauguration ceremony.

She was excited and soon went on duty with the other squad members.

She directed traffic under the guidance of her commander and performed her duties, for example, telling people to wear helmets and dealing with people violating traffic rules at a crossroads.

Just as her daylong experience was about to finish, Wu Honghao, the vice-director of the traffic squad said: "As your commander, I have two orders. First, listen to your mother and finish your treatment. Second, study hard and exercise to become a real traffic policewoman!"

Liu is receiving treatment in Shandong province.

"She has our best wishes, and we hope that one day she will return to our team," Wu said.