More than 700 people gathered in Fushun, northeast Liaoning Province – where he used to work – to commemorate the late Lei Feng, a People's Liberation Army soldier renowned for his "selfless service for the people".

Altruistic, generous and modest. For many years, heroic soldier Lei Feng was seen as the "role model" of China. Jiang Fuhe used to work with Lei Feng. He recalls Lei as a very warm-hearted person: "Small things like cleaning and fetching water. He always took pleasure in helping people. We used to say he travels thousands of miles, and does a colossal amount of good."

From the 1960s onwards, Lei, who had worked as a workpoint recorder, messenger of the township government and a civil servant of the county party committee, became the subject of a nationwide campaign. People were urged to learn from him, a role model characterized as a selfless serviceman.

Although the legacy of Lei Feng continues to resonate in China today, it does appear that the younger generations are not as familiar with Lei Feng as their parents.

At the Lei Feng Museum in Fushun, six-year-old Wang Zhaorui is visiting his grandfather. He says he knows little about Lei and what he did: "All I know is he helped other people. And my parents did not tell me much about him."

As Fushun has become a city with many Lei Feng's work memory, schools are also named after the role model. One student named Yan Jiayi told CGTN that she first heard of Lei Feng from her teacher at school. She was told to learn from him and help her peers just like what Lei Feng used to do. To her, altruism is what Lei Feng spirit represents. "But most of my friends only know who he is, and that he has written a diary, but less about his deeds," she said.

So is Lei Feng's spirit outdated? One visitor at the service gave the answer no. "I think the younger generation should pass on his spirit. To me it is the positive energy that's lacking in some parts of society. Lei could serve as a spiritual influence," said Yang Kaifang.

 March 5 is now the official "Learn from Lei Feng Day", which involves events which see people clean up parks, schools, and pay tribute to the national icon.