There are just three members in Li Xu's core family. Even though the family is small, it is happy, and it is doing some "big" things in their community, in Jingzhou, an ethnic Miao and Dong autonomous county in Huaihua, a city in central China's Hunan Province. Li served in the army for 17 years, from 2000-2017. His wife, Yu Qi, is well known in their community, Wanfu, for her warmheartedness. Li and Yu adhere to their belief in "serving the people wholeheartedly." They work hard to encourage other families, especially in their neighborhood, to advocate family virtues in the new era.

Taking the Lead

Li currently works at the health bureau of Jingzhou. Influenced by his father, who was also a soldier, Li has long held firm to his belief in "serving the people and the home country." Li explains, "I was a soldier who served in the army, when I was wearing my uniform. Now, without my uniform, I am still a 'people's soldier.' Whatever post I am at, I should pass on the spirit of the heroic soldier, Lei Feng." 

Lei (1940-1962), a soldier in the People's Liberation Army, has long been revered for having devoted much of his spare time and money to helping others. Lei had been an icon of altruism before he died, in a tragic accident, in 1962, at the age of 22. He has since been a national role model, who has been lauded and appreciated by generation after generation of Chinese. 

In March 2018, Li and Yu established a team of volunteers, under the name of Lei Feng, in Jingzhou. The volunteers have since provided various public-welfare services as a means to advocate their shared moral virtues. Li, accompanied by Yu, has led the team in caring for elderly people, who live alone, in their hometown. The team has visited several communities and villages to clean the environment, including cleaning 10 kilometers of a river course. The team has also helped students, from nine households, who were coping with various difficulties.

On March 2, 2020, Li witnessed a motorcycle accident in Jingzhou. The biker was tossed from her motorcycle after she lost control due to slippery road conditions caused by rain. She hit a tree and lost consciousness. Li immediately administered first aid, and he helped medical workers transport her to the hospital. Li, who had tried to contact the woman's relatives, stayed at the hospital until a police officer located her relatives. Li's warmhearted deed was reported by media. 

'Backup Force'  

Li often describes himself as "a person of happiness." He is grateful Yu is dedicated to her work, shows filial piety to the elderly members of their extended family, and takes care of the family's chores. He is also grateful their son is smart, diligent, hardworking, open and energetic. "My family is a strong 'backup force,' which supports me as I march forward courageously on my life's path. Family is also a warm 'harbor,' where I can have a good rest when I'm tired," Li explains.

Li was serving in the army when he married Yu, in September 2013. Then, he had very little time to return home to spend time with his family. Since 2017, when he retired, Li has remained busy while he has been working at the health bureau of Jingzhou. Yu has continued to shoulder most of the responsibility of looking after the family. "I never regret that I married a soldier. My life has actually been more wonderful since I married Li. It was the honor of my lifetime that we participated in a group marriage ceremony, held by the army," Yu says. 

Regardless if her husband has been serving in the army or working in their hometown, Yu has chosen to "fight side by side" with him. She has provided Li with the best support possible. 

Li and Yu are Party (Communist Party of China) members, and they both attach great importance to the building of family, family education and virtues. They are warmhearted volunteers who serve the people, no matter if they are in the workplace, in the community, or in neighboring villages. 

Li's family was selected a National Most Beautiful Family in May 2023. "National Most Beautiful Family is an honor that brings us great joy, and a sense of shouldering our family's responsibilities. Encouraged by the care from our Party and society, we will work harder to promote the 'most beautiful' light to more families, and we will do more kind deeds, to spread warmth to families across our home country," the couple says. 

Photos from Interviewees

Source: Department of Family and Children's Affairs of the ACWF

(Women of China English Monthly June 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha