Revitalizing a role model: old man devotes life to enshrine Lei Feng

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For many years, Lei Feng was a synonym for a role model in China.

From the 1960s on, the heroic soldier was characterized as an altruistic and modest person devoted to the Communist Party and the people of China. “Follow the examples of Comrade Lei Feng,” used to be one of the most famous national campaigns.

File pictures of Liu Guangjian, the living "role model of China." /Beijing News Photo

Although the legacy of Lei Feng continues to resonate in China today, it appears that the younger generations are less passionate about the role model than their parents. A 2008 survey by the Xinhua News Agency noted that many elementary school students have only a vague knowledge of Lei Feng's life.

But for the 60-year-old Liu Guangjian, the spirit of Lei Feng is truly larger than life. Since 1999, he has traveled across China to promote the Lei Feng spirit, while himself struggling to make ends meet.

File pictures of Liu Guangjian, the living "role model of China." /Beijing News Photo

Liu has two life ideals – collect the stamps from 10,000 village party committees across China, and to build a “Lei Feng Culture Study Base” – which he estimates would cost 50 billion yuan (7.2 billion US dollars).

He rides on his three-wheeler to travel across the country, with banners of Lei Feng and his life deeds, and a flag of the Communist Party, to promote Lei Feng spirit wherever he goes.

File pictures of Liu Guangjian, the living "role model of China." /Beijing News Photo

Due to his worsening health, Liu earns a livelihood through polishing boots, and uses the money to help others to set up boot-polishing careers.

Although Liu was praised by the government for his outstanding performance in preserving the Lei Feng spirit, his personal life was stuck in poverty, and he couldn’t form a family of his own.

Beijing News Photo

Some volunteers tried to help him apply for social allowances, but Liu turned down the offer, saying that he prefers life on the road. “I have devoted my life to Lei Feng, and there’s no turning back now,” said Liu.

Beijing News Photo

While many people don’t understand Liu’s idealistic lifestyle, some people appreciate his good intentions – he opened up a wasteland in central China’s Hunan Province and gave the crops to nearby villagers.

“Others build concrete buildings, I build a structure of the mind, and it already has 1,000 floors,” said Liu.

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