Activities honor Lei Feng spirit

An exhibition, which opened on Monday at Beijing World Art Museum, showcases photos and audio material featuring Lei Feng. The young Chinese soldier, who died in 1962, is known for selflessly helping the needy. [Wang Jing / China Daily]

Residents will be taking part in a range of activities this month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of chairman Mao Zedong's call to learn from Lei Feng.

On Monday, an exhibition opened to show Lei Feng's biography and the stories of the "most beautiful people" in Beijing rewarded by the government for their volunteer work inspired by Lei.

Organized by the capital's spiritual civilization construction commission, the exhibition included photos as well as audio materials about Lei.

Lei was a People's Liberation Army soldier known for his "selfless service for the people". He died in 1962 at the age of 22.

In 1963, Chairman Mao initiated a nationwide campaign to follow the soldier's example for his selflessness, dedication and other moral values.

Visitors can also register as a volunteer for Beijing Volunteer Federation at Beijing World Art Museum, which is showing the exhibition.

After visiting the exhibition on Lei Feng, Yao Ping, 40, a post office worker in Dongcheng district, said people should focus on their dedication to their job and on helping others through volunteering.

Yao was named one of the "most beautiful people" in Beijing this year for her innovation in postal work and dedication over the past six years to helping the elderly in her community.

"The learning of Lei Feng spirit should be practical. You could make your efforts to help other people, but it should not exceed your abilities," said Zhang Xizhong, a veteran from Henan province and head of a cleaning company that drains water and sewage systems.

Zhang's company provides 24-hour voluntary services for elderly people as well as disadvantaged groups.

On Feb 25, the Lei Feng Museum was established in Lei Feng Primary School, the only one in Beijing that is named after the soldier. The museum will be open to public later this month.

The museum has a collection of diaries written by teachers and students inspired by Lei Feng, a tradition the school has kept since 1963.

Students of the school will work as volunteer tour guides for visitors to the museum, said Liu Shuyin, principal of Lei Feng Primary School.

Meng Wei, who graduated from the school and is now a teacher of moral education at the school, said the studies on Lei Feng should keep pace with the times.

The school has launched a course on public welfare for students from grades 1 to 6, she said.

More important, students should first focus on their studies, and then gradually learn to participate in volunteer activities in honor of Lei Feng, she added.