What We Can Learn from Xi's Childhood

Undated photo shows Xi Jinping carrying his daughter on a cycle in Fuzhou. [Xinhua]

Childhood memories remain with us for a lifetime. On this International Children's Day, we explore how President Xi Jinping spent his childhood and whether these experiences made him the person he is today.

Father Inculcated Frugal Habits

Xi Zhongxun, father of Xi Jinping, served as chairman of the Shaanxi-Gansu Border Region, a CPC revolutionary base of the 1930s, and was called by Chairman Mao Zedong a "leader of the people." Xi Zhongxun later led Guangdong in its implementation of reform and opening-up policies and in the construction of special economic zones in the province.

"Dad leads a frugal life, almost to the point of being harsh. The strict family discipline is well-known. We have been taught to live a thrifty life since childhood. Such a family tradition should be passed down from generation to generation," Xi said in a letter to his father in 2001, when he was the governor of Fujian province and was unable to attend his father's 88th birthday celebration due to work commitments

The family had a tradition of adopting the frugal and austere lifestyle. Throughout their childhood, Xi Jinping and his younger brother used to wear clothes and shoes handed down from their elder sisters.

Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan named their daughter "Mingze" — in Chinese implies "living an honest life and being a useful person to society", which is their expectation for her and also a symbol of their family's simple style.

Molding Ideals — Books Xi Read as a Child

While meeting with representatives to the first National Conference of Model Families in December 2016, Xi talked about books he read as a child.

"When I was a child, my mother gave me a picture-story book series － The Legend of Yue Fei. One of its more than 10 volumes shows Yue Fei's mother tattooing four characters saying 'serve the country with the utmost loyalty' across his back," Xi said, adding that the story deeply impressed him.

"It’s been my lifelong aspiration to 'serve the country with the utmost loyalty',” Xi said.

Eschewing Luxury — Memories of Skating Shoes

In a trip to a 2022 Winter Olympics facility in Beijing in 2017, Xi shared his own story with the young ice hockey players practicing there. "I could only go skating on frozen Shichahai Lake," Xi said recalling his skating memory as a teenager. He said he loved skating and always wanted to have a pair of skating shoes, while his younger brother liked playing ice hockey. "But at that time it was a luxury to have a pair of ice shoes worth 50 yuan. We were allowed to buy just one pair of new shoes," Xi said. So he gave the chance to his younger brother.

"The children nowadays are 'very fortunate' as they enjoy high-standard facilities,” Xi added. He urged the children to develop strong character through doing more physical activities.

Importance of Physical Exercise — Playing Soccer as a Child

Ahead of Teacher's Day in 2016, Xi shrugged off his official title and enjoyed school time again when he visited his alma mater Bayi School, where he spent his primary and junior high school years.

When Shen Jun, the head of Bayi School, said, "Welcome the president back to school," Xi said, "There is no president in school, but only teachers and students.”

Beijing Bayi School was founded in 1947 by Marshall Nie Rongzhen and has since developed into one of the best known schools. The school shared some old photographs of Xi as a student. "I really miss those days in school. Wherever I go, I will always remember and stay in touch with my alma mater," Xi said.

After graduating from Bayi School, Xi, then 15, went to Shaanxi province, where he spent seven years as a rural laborer.

Stopping at the soccer field where students were training, Xi, a soccer fan, recalled the old days when he played on the same field, which is grass now but was dirt and mud 50 years ago. "I used to play football on the playground, and our team once won the fourth place at a soccer game nationwide," Xi said.

"Physical exercise is of great importance to cultivate one's temperament, as well as strengthen the will," Xi told the students.

Taking Responsibilities — Yearning for Joining Young Pioneers

Ahead of the International Children's Day in 2014, Xi visited a primary school in Haidian district in northern Beijing, attending school activities and meeting students, their parents and teachers.

While attending the ceremony of the Young Pioneers, Xi told the students about his "crying story", saying "I cried because I wasn't old enough to become the first batch of the Young Pioneers." Then children all laughed when Xi asked: "Is it embarrassing to cry for this?"

Xi also talked about his experiences of being class leaders and told the children to take responsibilities in different jobs. "All sectors of society should work together to nurture the seeds of socialist values in their heart so that the values can take root and germinate," he said.

File photo shows Xi Jinping with his father Xi Zhongxun, his wife Peng Liyuan and his daughter. [Xinhua]

An undated photo shows President Xi Jinping walking with his mother. [Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping greets a boy from the ice hockey team of Zhongguancun Second Primary School at a venue for the 2022 Winter Olympics ice hockey event in Wukesong Sports Center, Beijing, Feb 24, 2017. [people.com.cn]

President Xi Jinping with students during his visit at Beijing Haidian National Primary School in Beijing, May 30, 2014. [Xinhua]

(Source: China Daily)