The new book "Xi Jinping's Seven Years as an Educated Youth."
A new book, “Xi Jinping's Seven Years as an Educated Youth,” recently published by the Publishing House of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, is a collection of interviews with 29 people who lived and worked with Xi when he worked as an “educated youth” in a poverty-stricken village in Shaanxi Province from 1969 to 1975. They include fellow educated youths, villagers and other acquaintances made during the seven years after Xi was sent to the countryside for “re-education” during the “cultural revolution.”
In the book, the interviewees, through their personal experience, tell of the hardship Xi endured and how he was steeled by the seven years of hard work.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi has made scientific analysis of the situations of the world and China, promoted a “Five in One” drive relating to economy, politics, culture, society and ecology, as well as the four-pronged comprehensive strategy that aims to make comprehensive moves to finish building a moderately prosperous society, deepen reform, advance the law-based governance and strengthen Party self-conduct. Such efforts have solved many thorny issues that remained unsolved for a long time and won support from the Party, army and people of all ethnic groups. On the basis of profound understanding of the development of human society, and the patterns of the construction of socialism and the communist party’s governance, General Secretary Xi has put forward a full set of new, scientific concepts, thoughts and strategies in governance.
A leader’s thinking has roots. In January 1969, at the age of 15, Xi was sent to Liangjiahe Village, Yanchuan County, Shaanxi Province, where he worked until October 1975. The seven years in Liangjiahe as an “educated youth” was the root of General Secretary Xi’s governance ideas and strategies. Toiling and moiling on the Loess Plateau shaped Xi’s people-centered, studious, diligent, hardworking and pragmatic style.
“Jinping remains the good young man who worked hard for the masses so they could have a better life.” “He stayed close to farmers, was determined to be rooted in the countryside and committed to changing Liangjiahe for the better.” “Jinping had high aspirations even in his youth. His goal, however, was not to become a high-ranking official, but to do practical things for the masses.” These are some of the quotes from the interviewees.
During the seven years on the loessland, Xi endured the hardship with villagers in the poverty-stricken Liangjiahe Village, and led villagers to accomplish various tasks so they could lead a better life. His care for villagers led to his people-centered development thought. With this in mind, it would not be difficult for us to understand why he has repeatedly stressed the need to “enhance the people’s sense of gain,” “make development fruits to benefit people fairly,” and “encourage young people to spend their youth in places where the country needs them most.”
“Jinping never gave up reading and thinking when he was in Liangjiahe.” “He must finish the book when he found one he liked. He studied a problem thoroughly when encountering one that he could not understand.” “He took every opportunity to read books even when herding sheep.” At that time, China was short of daily goods and cultural activities, and the Loess Plateau was a barren land cut off from the outside world. Yet Xi was deeply fond of reading and thirsted for knowledge. “I don’t think my seven years in the countryside was a waste. That period laid much of the foundation of my knowledge,” General Secretary Xi recalled. Reading and learning have become Xi’s routine, a work responsibility and a spiritual pursuit.
“What produced deep influence on Jinping’s thoughts and values was not slogans or teaching from loud speakers, but the hard work day after day. The more than 2,400 days and nights spent with farmers produced subtle influence on him,” an interviewee said. Through his hard work, Xi overcame various difficulties facing an urban youth in a rural environment, such as in tackling fleas, bad food and harsh living condition. From a series of his lectures and letters to young people, we can deeply feel how he was steeled by the hardship during the seven years. There are ups and downs, happiness and sadness in our life and work, yet we should always work diligently, keep firm belief at difficult times, never seek ease and comfort, never be afraid of difficulties, and seek better life and career through hard work.
During his time in the poverty-stricken village, Xi led villagers to accomplish various things, such as building the first methane-generating pit in northern Shaanxi to improve villagers’ life, an interviewee recalled. Others said Xi showed persistence and ambition at that time. The seven years in Liangjiahe was full of hardship and solid work. During the seven years, Xi strove to help farmers and accomplished a lot through down-to-earth efforts. Young people should be courageous to act as pioneers, take pragmatic actions, involve in the realization of the Chinese Dream through entrepreneurship and innovation, and make contribution to the country and the people.
The power of a role model has no limits. “Xi Jinping's Seven Years as an Educated Youth” is enlightening to young people, and sets a good example for young students on how they should think and behave. Young people should learn from the young Xi Jinping, gain profound understanding of the country and the people, have the same ideas and values with the Party and people, and devote their youth to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
