CGTN: Mother’s Day: How heroic mothers inspire Xi Jinping

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BEIJING, May 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today marks Mother’s Day. CGTN published a feature spotlighting the inspiring stories of Chinese mothers who devoted themselves selflessly to their children and the nation, highlighting the profound influence mothers have in shaping future generations. In particular, the article explores the deep bond between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his mother, Qi Xin, showing how her patriotism, resilience, and frugal lifestyle, conveyed through both her words and personal example, helped shape Xi’s values, approach to governance, and people-centered philosophy.

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“In this vast world, I may be like a small feather. But even so, I want this feather to carry a wish for peace,” He Zhihong, a Chinese peacekeeper who was killed in the line of duty at the age of 35, wrote in her diary. She died in an earthquake while serving on a UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti, leaving behind a 4-year-old son, husband and elderly parents.

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During her deployment, she led a female peacekeeper squad and provided translation for visiting Chinese delegations. She also took the initiative to organize cultural exchange and open camp events to strengthen cooperation with other peacekeeping units, and taught local students Chinese, building a bridge for cultural understanding.

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As a heroic mother figure, her sacrifice made a strong impression on attendees as Chinese President Xi Jinping shared her story in a speech at the General Debate of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2015.

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Her story is one of many moving accounts of Chinese mothers that Xi has highlighted over the years. Others include Zhao Yiman (1905–1936), a revered national martyr who was executed at the age of 31 by Japanese forces after enduring brutal torture, and Deng Yufen (1891–1970), a mother who sent her husband and all five of her children to the frontlines to fight Japanese militarists.

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These women not only exemplify dedication and sacrifice for their country but also demonstrate the profound influence a mother can have on the character and spirit of her children.

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Xi and his mother

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Xi’s own mother, Qi Xin, also left a lasting impression on her children. She joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1939, endured the hardships of the fight against Japanese invaders and worked for many years at the grassroots level in rural revolutionary bases.

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Qi’s dedication to a sovereign and peaceful China, along with her close bond with ordinary working people, deeply inspired Xi.

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From a young age, Xi’s mother instilled in him lessons of patriotism and resilience. She once carried him to a store to buy a book about Yue Fei, a 12th-century military commander celebrated for his loyalty. Qi told Xi how Yue Fei’s mother tattooed the characters meaning “serve the country with the utmost loyalty” on her son’s back to encourage him to resist foreign invaders. When Xi asked how painful it was, Qi explained that although it hurt, Yue Fei took the words to heart. From that moment, Xi took those same words as a guiding principle in his life.