国内英语新闻:Uncle Lei Feng's legacy valued as egoism prevails

MORALITY CONCERN

Three decades into China's reform and opening-up drive, people have started to take another look at the values Lei Feng represents after several major events prompted reflection and debate on public morality.

The debate escalated when a toddler in Foshan, Guangdong province, was hit by two vehicles but left bleeding and ignored by a dozen passersby in November last year.

The death of the two-year-old girl ignited public outcry and forced Chinese people to rethink their morality in an era when Lei Feng no longer holds the country's moral compass.

Zhu Dongli, a cultural critic and researcher with the Chinese National Academy of Arts, says cases like that of the ignored, injured child reflect people's apathy.

"The logic of a market economy is to maximize self-interest. Lei Feng's merits are what today's society are most short of, and, therefore, a most wanted value," Zhu said.

Li Lulu, a professor of sociology with Beijing-based Renmin University of China, says that it is good that Chinese people nowadays have a diversified pool of idols from which to choose.

"But that doesn't necessarily mean Lei Feng's spirit is outdated and should be forgotten. On the contrary, Lei's merits of being ready to help others, self-discipline and devotion to work are what today's young people should learn from," Li said.

As part of its efforts to establish the socialist core value system, the Communist Party of China in November last year proposed to further promote "Learn From Lei Feng" activities.

The call was followed by new measures across the country.

In Beijing, the municipal government has decided to mark each Saturday "Learn from Lei Feng Day," encouraging residents to participate in various volunteer activities.

The Ministry of Education has also ordered to take "Learn from Lei Feng" as a factor in evaluating students' performance.