Mother’s Day: How Xi Jinping Lives Up to His Mother’s Lesson

Mother’s Day is a global moment to honor the lessons that shape us. For Chinese President Xi Jinping, it’s a time to reflect on his mother Qi Xin’s powerful teachings—echoes of loyalty, dedication, and grassroots spirit.

Rooted in Loyalty

As a child, Xi heard the story of Yue Fei, the 12th-century commander whose mother tattooed “serve the country with the utmost devotion” on his back—a phrase embodying “zhong” or loyalty in Confucian philosophy. “I bear the sentence in mind till this day, and it’s also a goal I’ve pursued my whole life,” Xi says.

From Grassroots to Leadership

In 1939, Qi Xin joined the Communist Party of China and dedicated herself to grassroots work in line with Party values. Guided by her husband’s motto—“Work well, study well, and handle everything well”—she led by example, shaping her children through both words and deeds.

Today, those early lessons resonate in Xi’s leadership style: a focus on loyalty, service, and an unwavering commitment to collective progress. On this Mother’s Day, we celebrate the universal power of a mother’s influence—how one story, one motto, one moment of guidance can echo through a lifetime of leadership.

How has your mother’s wisdom shaped your journey? Share your stories and join the conversation below.

Reference(s):

Mother's Day: How Xi Jinping lives up to his mother's heart

cgtn.com