Li Wenxiang: Loyal Party member honored

Li Wenxiang, an 87-year-old retired soldier originally from Fan county of China's Henan province, has been recognized as a hero for inspiring many Chinese people with his communist conviction.

In 1948, 23-year-old Li enrolled in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and fought countless battles and won many medals throughout his nine-year military career.

In 1962, when the Party called on cadres to support agriculture during economic difficulties, Li responded actively to the Party's appeal and returned to his impoverished hometown.

In 1979, the Fujian Provincial Construction Department, his former employer, informed him that the organization decided to resume his cadre status and asked him to return to work in Fujian. He refused.

When he turned 60 and retired in 1984, the Fan County Civil Affairs Bureau started to send him monthly allowance of 26.48 yuan. The next year, his former employer, the Fujian government also decided to send him retirement allowances each quarter. But Li objected to accepting relief payments from two organizations and returned the money to the County Civil Affairs Department.

In the 50 years after returning to the countryside, Li never asked the government for money, housing or other special treatments. His only request has been to be buried with his medals.

Neither riches nor honours can corrupt him; neither poverty nor humbleness can make him swerve from principle; and neither threats nor forces can subdue him. That is Li Wenxiang who lives a simplest life with his firm communist conviction.