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A Legacy of Love and Learning: The He Family in Hunan

In the picturesque village of He Ci located in Hengnan County, Central China's Hunan Province, the He family stands as a beacon of enduring values that resonate across generations. At the core of this four-generation household is the nearly 90-year-old He Fangjing. His commitment to rural education spans over four decades, during which he has profoundly influenced thousands of students while instilling the values of kindness and learning within his family. This rich heritage has shaped a family narrative that underlines the importance of moral integrity.

Every Chinese Lunar New Year's eve, the He family comes together to recount stories and reflect on yearly achievements. This cherished tradition symbolizes the deep-rooted bond of love, education, and family unity that they cultivate. During one such gathering, He Fangjing expressed his pride in their lineage, stating, "Our family’s legacy is built on love and the pursuit of knowledge."

Recognizing that family values form the backbone of societal principles, President Xi Jinping has reiterated the significance of familial virtues. At the mid-Autumn Festival in 2020, he remarked on the ancient wisdom that underlines family as the foundation for a thriving nation. The saying, "The state is essential under Heaven. The family is essential for the state," emphasizes how harmony within families cultivates a stable society.

The He family's values reflect the interconnected aspirations between individual families and the broader nation. Graduates of the He household have ascended to influential roles, such as engineers, doctors, and civil servants, showcasing the profound impact of He Fangjing's teachings on national development.

Since the 18th Chinese Communist Party National Congress, the administration has actively promoted strong family ethics, recognizing their vital role in community progress and social harmony. The He family’s annual symposium during the Spring Festival embodies this spirit. Over the past two decades, this gathering has served as a platform for discussing life’s lessons and reinforcing familial ties, with themes evolving yet consistently aiming to inspire younger generations.

He Fangjing's vision for his family began over 30 years ago. Following his retirement, he observed the community lose focus on educational pursuits during celebratory occasions. Determined to shift this mindset, he introduced family discussions to cultivate a spirit of learning and reflection. Initially met with resistance, his family gradually embraced these symposiums, which evolved into significant events that attract participants beyond their immediate lineage.

In a bid to document their discussions, He Fangjing published a book compiling insights shared during these gatherings. Released in 2015, it has since inspired many families seeking guidance on nurturing knowledge within their homes. The second volume, containing over 420 pages of wisdom, came out in 2023, proving to be a valuable resource for others aiming to cultivate strong family traditions.

Each day, He Fangjing dedicates more than four hours to reading, diligently noting down insights for his children. These notes have become treasured “admonitions,” directing his offspring towards virtuous living. He constructed a 90-meter family cultural corridor, hosting annual recognition ceremonies intended to motivate youth to strive for academic excellence.

In a broader sense beyond his family, He Fangjing invests time and resources into nurturing the educational landscape of his community. As an extracurricular teacher, he aids local children, while his financial contributions have supported community enhancements such as repairing roads and schools.

In a remarkable success story, since 2007, 134 members of the He family have been admitted to prestigious universities, including China’s top institutions. This achievement showcases their collective commitment to education and moral guidance, affirming the notion that nurturing young minds is essential for national prosperity.

In conclusion, the He family’s legacy underscores the role of strong family bonds and educational values as pillars of national strength and development. As articulated by both President Xi and He Fangjing, the future of families intricately relates to the health of society and the nation at large. The journey of the He family remains a testimony to the idea that nurturing goodness in individual homes ultimately contributes to the collective dream of societal harmony and national rejuvenation.