The Deep Connection Between Family Love and National Pride in China

As the Qixi Festival, often referred to as the Chinese Valentine's Day, approaches, we reflect on the pivotal values surrounding family and nation—principles deeply reinforced by President Xi Jinping. He believes that only when numerous households flourish can the nation itself truly prosper.

Photographs of Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, prominently feature in his office, revealing a softer side of the Chinese leader. Despite their demanding careers often keeping them apart, their mutual understanding and care are palpable. In his 2017 Spring Festival speech, Xi remarked, "Do not sever genuine relationships due to distance; retain true feelings amidst a busy life, and do not overlook essential emotions in the whirlwind of daily life."

The Essence of Family Warmth

Xi emphasizes the importance of nurturing a happy family life. He shares, "I have a very happy family. My wife and I both have our careers, but we work together to cultivate our family."

In 2004, while serving as the Secretary of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China in Zhejiang, he revealed during a television interview that Peng called him every day due to their separation. And during a visit to a farmer in Costa Rica in 2013, he naturally tore a piece of bread from the host and tenderly offered it to her— a moment that spoke volumes about their years of quiet intimacy.

In 2014, during a state visit to India, Peng joined Xi and playfully invited him to sit beside her on a swing. This moment showcased their shared quietness and harmony, emphasizing the strength and intimacy of their relationship.

Linking Family Love with National Loyalty

Xi Jinping consistently articulates the interconnectedness of family and nation, asserting that family is the fundamental unit of society where love for both homeland and family should unite. He affirms, "Only when millions of households thrive can the nation truly prosper."

From his beginnings as a local officer to becoming the highest leader of the country, Xi has continuously aimed to assist countless families in enjoying a better life. As the village party secretary in Liangjiahe, Hebei Province, he lived and worked alongside farmers. As the then-secretary of the county's CPC committee in Zhengding, he personally visited every village to assess locals' living standards.

Since his election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in October 2012, Xi has made at least 30 inspections across the nation with a significant focus on poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

By the end of 2020, after eight years of diligent efforts, China achieved its goal of eradicating extreme poverty, lifting 98.99 million people in rural areas above the poverty line and conquering all 128,000 impoverished villages along with 832 designated poverty-stricken counties, as reported in the white paper titled, "China's Experience and Contribution to Poverty Alleviation."

Looking ahead to 2025, when the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) concludes, Xi underscores the necessity of prioritizing the livelihoods of the people in the nation’s future development. During a symposium on China's economic and social development under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) at the end of April, he emphasized the significance of addressing the people's benefits in planning, calling for improvements in living conditions through development while progressively working towards shared prosperity.