CGTN published an article detailing how Chinese President Xi Jinping was deeply influenced by his mother’s words and actions, showcasing his respect and care for her. This heartfelt story reflects the enduring Chinese traditional values of filial piety and respect for the elderly, embodying the admirable moral character of the Chinese people.

They say a mother is a kid’s first teacher.

Chinese President Xi Jinping once said that he would never forget the story of Yue Fei, as told by his mother, Qi Xin, when he was a child.

Yue Fei was a patriotic military commander from the 12th century whose mother tattooed “serve the country with the utmost devotion,” a phrase that embodies “zhong” or loyalty, in Confucian philosophy, on his back.

“I bear the sentence in mind till this day, and it’s also a goal I’ve pursued my whole life,” Xi said.

Xi and his mother

In 1939, Qi joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) and became a staunch supporter of the CPC’s values and beliefs. She kept the overall situation in mind and insisted on working at the grassroots level, working hard in various positions.

Qi took her husband’s words, “Work well, study well, and handle everything well,” as her motto and used her words and deeds to influence her children.

Over the years, Xi has emphasized the importance of family, family education and virtues on many occasions.

During a meeting with representatives to the first National Conference of Model Families in 2016, Xi said 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.”

In his adolescence, Xi was given a simple sewing kit by his mother, a gift that would give him the courage to weather a difficult time and make “the first step of life.”

Qi used red threads to stitch the words “niang de xin (mother’s heart)” on the coarse cloth of the kit bag.

‘The greatest filial piety’

As a filial son, Xi has always tried to spend time with his mother when possible. However, with more work duties calling, Xi could not always be with his mother.

“Doing your job well is the greatest filial piety to your father and mother,” Qi told her son.

Xi took that to heart, serving the public with the goal of achieving a good life for Chinese families.

As Xi said at the closing meeting of the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress, the people’s trust is the biggest motivation that drives him to march on and is a great responsibility he shoulders.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-11/Mother-s-Day-How-Xi-Jinping-lives-up-to-his-mother-s-heart-1DhVWWiBOA8/p.html