On Mother's Day, the second Sunday of May, people across the world share stories about their mothers and express their love and gratitude to the person who brought them to this world, and it is no exception for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Qi Xin, Xi's mother, joined the Communist Party of China at the initial phase of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. With a strong sense of righteousness, Qi has set a good example for her children.
In 1969, 15-year-old Xi was sent to Liangjiahe, a small rural village in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, as an "educated youth" -- urban youth sent to remote rural areas to "learn from farmers" during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).
Upon learning this, his mother, who was then working at a farm in central China's Henan Province, carefully made a sewing kit for him.
On the coarse cloth of the kit bag, Qi used red threads to stitch the words "niang de xin (mother's heart)" on it.
Xi kept the gift from his mother throughout the seven years he spent in Liangjiahe, where he overcame numerous challenges.
When delivering his Spring Festival greetings in 2015, Xi quoted the poem "Song of the Parting Son" by Meng Jiao in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to explain how the tradition of strong family ties remains unchanged throughout history.
"From the threads a mother's hand weaves, a gown for parting son is made. Sown stitch by stitch before he leaves, for fear his return be delayed. Such kindness as young grass receives, from the warm sun can't be repaid," Xi quoted.
Xi often recalls a moment from when he was five or six years old, when Qi bought him a picture book about Yue Fei, a patriotic military commander of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).
Qi would read to him the story of how Yue's mother tattooed four Chinese characters on Yue's back to remind him of devoting himself to the country: "Jing Zhong Bao Guo," meaning serving the country with total loyalty.
Since then, Xi has kept the four characters in mind, regarding them as the pursuit of his entire life.
As a filial son, Xi has always tried to spend time with his mother when possible. Despite a tight work schedule, he would always find time to go for a walk with her.
However, sometimes, for the sake of the greater good -- the interests of the people, Xi is unable to stay by her side, and Qi, in those cases, has always showed unwavering love and support for her son.
In 2001, Xi, who was serving as the governor of east China's Fujian Province at the time, told his mother over the phone that he might not be able to join the family reunion during that year's Spring Festival due to official duties.
"My son, I want to tell you that I'm glad to hear you are busy with work. It doesn't matter if you come or not. Doing your job well is the best way to show filial piety to your father and mother. It means being responsible to both your family and yourself, as they come as one," said Qi.
Having grown up in a warm family atmosphere, the Chinese president often emphasizes the importance of family bonds.
At the Spring Festival gathering in 2017, Xi's words on family reunion struck the heartfelt chords of hundreds of millions of people.
"People may devote themselves to work, sacrificing sleep and meals. They may rush to different places to make a living. However, they should not forget about genuine human connections, nor should they allow distance to sever those connections. In the midst of daily busyness, one should not forget about genuine human connections. In the relentless pursuit day and night, one should not overlook such connections," he said.
Thanks to such an upbringing, Xi has recognized the importance of being an honest and upright Party member while serving the people, which has shaped his leadership as he leads more than 1.4 billion Chinese people toward a better future.
Stories of Xi and his mother highlights inheritance of love
