They say a mother is a child’s first teacher. For Chinese President Xi Jinping, his mother Qi Xin played a pivotal role in shaping his values and guiding his path.
As a child, Xi was captivated by the story of Yue Fei, a 12th-century patriotic military commander. Qi told him how Yue Fei’s mother tattooed the words “serve the country with the utmost devotion” on his back—a phrase embodying loyalty in Confucian philosophy. “I bear the sentence in mind till this day, and it’s also a goal I’ve pursued my whole life,” Xi once said.
Qi Xin, who joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1939, was a staunch supporter of its values and beliefs. She worked tirelessly at the grassroots level, dedicating herself to various positions and always keeping the bigger picture in mind.
Adopting her husband’s motto, “Work well, study well, and handle everything well,” Qi influenced her children through both words and deeds. Over the years, Xi has emphasized the importance of family, education, and virtues on many occasions.
During a meeting with representatives at the first National Conference of Model Families in 2016, Xi stated, “Parents should instruct their children through words and deeds, give them both knowledge and virtues, as well as practice what they teach. They should help their children button the first button in their lifetime and take the first step on the ladder of life.”
As a teenager, Xi received a simple sewing kit from his mother. On the coarse cloth of the kit bag, Qi had stitched the words “niang de xin” (mother’s heart) in red thread. This heartfelt gift gave him the courage to weather difficult times and take “the first step of life.”
Despite his busy schedule, Xi has always tried to spend time with his mother. Understanding his responsibilities, Qi once told him, “Doing your job well is the greatest filial piety to your father and mother.” Xi took her words to heart, dedicating himself to serving the public with the goal of achieving a good life for Chinese families.
At the closing meeting of the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress, Xi said, “The people’s trust is the biggest motivation that drives me to march on and is a great responsibility I shoulder.”
