Who was Lei Feng? What does his image mean today?
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| "Learn from Lei Feng's example; love the Party, love socialism, love the people." |
It has been 50 years since Mao used Lei Feng's image as the paragon of party. Lei Feng was an ordinary member of the PLA, a squad leader of a transport unit from Changsha. In 1962, he died at the young age of 21 (22 using the asian way of counting age) while assisting another soldier direct a truck. A year later, the communist party released Lei's (supposed) diary, and Mao venerated the young soldier as icon of selflessness, modesty, and dedication. Despite his youth, the diary detailed his relentless dedication to helping others, and his unwavering devotion to Mao. In death, layman Lei became a deity.
For a man whose diary professed he was content to be 'a single grain' of rice trying to feed the people, the 'smallest screw' in the socialist revolution, he turned out to be the most important screw in the Party's propaganda machine. The real authorship of the diary is in dispute, as it very conveniently came to light after the failed Great Leap Forward (1958-1961) which damaged Mao's reputation. Party propagandists seized Lei's diary to promote selfless deeds and, more importantly, lionise Mao. The Party gradually managed to shift the focus of 'Lei Feng Campaigns' from fervent service and altruism to a 'cult of Mao'. Countless posters depict a smiling, rosy-cheeked Lei Feng working hard, serving the people, and providing a moral ideal which everyone was to unquestioningly follow.
Several decades later, Lei Feng persists in the form of 'Learn from Lei Feng Day', falling on the 5th of March. However, he is no longer the idol he used to be, he languishes as an anachronism of a bygone China. This year, several films commemorating Lei Feng's life were released to coincide with 'Learn from Lei Feng Day'. All the films publicly and embarrassingly bombed. Major cinemas failed to sell any tickets at all and held screenings for empty theatres. The only place Lei Feng's actions seemed to hold any resonance were government controlled organisations, for example, Xinhua News Corporation, who reported on good deeds happening across the country. On the whole, Lei Feng and his lessons have been laid aside. He is now a mere mortal.
Here in Qingdao, bus stops were suddenly plastered with posters extolling politeness and courtesy. However, the signs were consolidated with the government's new priority of development.
顺应人民群众新期待新追求, 加快建设宜居幸福的现代化国际城市
Shùnyìng rénmín qúnzhòng xīn qídài xīn zhuīqiú, jiākuài jiànshè yi jū xìngfú de xiàndàihuà guójì chéngshì
We are meeting the people's new expectations and goals, by quickly establishing the standards of living and happiness of a modernising, international city.
文明赢得尊重, 利让从我做起
Wénmíng yíngdé zūnzhòng, lì ràng cóng wǒ zuò qǐ
Courtesy earns respect, manners arise from me
讲文明, 树新风, 携手共创文明城
Jiǎng wénmíng shù xīnfēng xiéshǒu gòng chuàng wénmíng chéng
Be civilised, nurture a new character, together we will build a cultured city
学习雷锋, 奉献他人, 提升自己
Xuéxí léifēng, fèngxiàn tārén, tíshēng zìjǐ
Learn from Lei Feng, devote yourself to other, improve yourself
以世界眼光谋划未来, 以国际标准提升工作, 以本土优势彰显特色
Yǐ shìjiè yǎnguāng móuhuà wèilái, yǐ guójì biāozhǔn tíshēng gōngzuò, yǐ běntǔ yōushì zhāngxiǎn tèsè
Use a world perspective to plan for the future, use international standards to enhance your work, use local strengths to highlight special characteristics.
改善城市环境, 提升发展质量, 增进市民福祉
Gǎishàn chéngshì huánjìng, tíshēng fāzhǎn zhìliàng, zēngjìn shìmín fúzhǐ
Improve the city's environment, raise the standard of development, enhance the well-being of citizens
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