Current location:International Insight news portal > style
Illuminating Each Child’s Future
International Insight news portal2024-04-30 15:59:50【style】9People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Illuminating Each Child’s Future
December 10, 2023Zhao Shubin's mother with her grandchildren. The photo was taken in 1988, in front of Zhao's family's automobile-repair shop. The green car was the first automobile repaired in the shop. |
Zhao Shubin has worked as a film and TV director with CCTV (China Central Television) and Beijing Radio & Television Station (BRTV). Some of his documentaries are housed in the Capital Library of China (in Beijing).
Zhao Shubin's family poses for a photo in 2000, on the site of their former residence. The dilapidated house was pulled down not long ago, as part of Wuhai's resettlement project. |
During the 1960s, our family moved from Baoding (a city in North China's Hebei Province) to Wuhai (a city in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region). Within a short time, my father began working as a miner. My mother was as busy as a bee; in addition to working in a coking plant, she took care of eight children. Influenced by our parents, we (my siblings and I) and our children have grown to be independent individuals, who are enthusiastic about life, and who are always eager to learn.
Buying 'Luxury Item'
During the 1970s, taking a family photo (during an important holiday) was "luxury entertainment" for an average Chinese family. However, Zhao Shukai (my second-oldest brother) and Zhao Shusen (my third-oldest brother) had already taken many photos with our family's "Seagull" (a Chinese brand) camera.
At that time, most Chinese had their pictures taken in photo studios. Therefore, our camera was a rarity. Zhao Shukai and Zhao Shusen took delight in snapping photos for our neighbors. During the following several decades, my brothers have used the camera to take numerous pictures (for our family), which have faithfully recorded the developments of and changes in our family.
You might wonder how our parents, who tightened their belts and supported their eight children, managed to buy such a "luxury item" during the 1970s. My father volunteered to work underground (in the coal mine) — a dangerous, dirty and tiring job — so he could earn more money. To save money, my mother made our clothes. Despite the hardships, our parents tried their best to satisfy our spiritual needs.
Returning Lambs to Neighbor
Although they had little formal education, our parents exerted a gradual, imperceptible influence on us in everything they said and did. One day (when we were little children), one of our neighbors offered two lambs (as presents) to Zhao Shukai and Zhao Guiling (my third-oldest sister), when they played in the neighbor's house. However, as Mom insisted we must not accept undeserved presents (from others), my brother and sister had to return the lambs to the neighbor.
To help us increase our knowledge and cultivate our reading habits, our parents subscribed to People's Daily. Reading the newspaper became our family's routine, every day after dinner. We took turns reading the articles (chosen by Dad in the newspaper), and then we exchanged views on the related issues. We also enjoyed listening to stories told by Dad.
Developing Our Careers
My family has had a decades-long affinity with automobiles. During the 1980s, few Chinese could repair automobiles. In 1988, Zhao Shulin, my fourth-eldest brother went to Shijiazhuang (a city in Hebei Province), to attend a training course, so he could learn the skills needed to repair automobiles. Soon after, he and Luo Hongde, my eldest brother-in-law, established an automobile repair shop (in Wuhai).
The following year, our family bought a van. Within a short time, we began providing taxi services. When I turned 18 (in 1987), I became the youngest taxi driver in Wuhai.
During the 1970s and 1980s, when "iron rice bowls," or lifelong jobs with benefits, were prevalent in China, our parents led us in starting our own businesses. During that period, we tried our luck in various businesses, including growing mushrooms, raising fish and chickens, and establishing a plant dedicated to making and selling soda drinks.
Given his diligence and wisdom, Zhao Shutong, my eldest brother, quickly honed his driving skills, after he was employed, in 1967, as a worker with a factory (in Wuhai). Within a short time, he became a truck driver for the factory. In 1979, he was employed as a manager by a laborservice company.
Zhao Gui'e, my eldest sister, began working at a local cement plant in 1970. Given her outstanding achievements, she has received many titles, including being named a March 8th Red-Banner Holder and a Model Worker in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Influenced by our parents, both of whom has a pioneering spirit, all of my brothers have started their own enterprises. During the past several decades, my brothers have all strived to realize their potential (as businessmen), and to achieve success in their careers.
Our parents began studying at universities for the elderly (in Wuhai) several years ago, as they were turning 80. Many of their calligraphies and paintings have earned them prizes during provincial and municipal art contests. Our parents have proved, with their actions, the importance of lifelong learning. Now, all of their grandchildren (more than 10) have been admitted to universities (in various regions of the country). That is our parents' greatest source of pride.
I was moved to tears when Mom told me (one afternoon several years ago) that she often prayed for her children and grandchildren to have good luck. Despite the passage of time, and the changes in our lives, we have always treasured our parents' virtues, which have become our big family's valuable "assets."
Photos Supplied by Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly July 2023 issue)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Address of this article:http://malaysia.spaceforanything.com/content-03e499951.html
Very good!(14)
Related articles
- Historic woods turned into 'desolate wasteland' by fly
- Trump hush money trial: 7 jurors picked, 11 more needed
- China's surveyed urban unemployment rate at 5.2 pct in Q1
- China's surveyed urban unemployment rate at 5.2 pct in Q1
- Supreme Court rejects Musk appeal over Tesla tweets
- Envoy says US is determined to monitor North Korean nukes, through the UN or otherwise
- UN report points to yawning gap of inequality in sexual and reproductive health worldwide
- German police target China
- Chinese defense minister holds video call with US counterpart
- Brian Austin Green says he's learned to 'pick his battles' while co
Popular articles
Recommended
Parents of Michigan high school shooter sentenced 10
Tom Hollander reveals how he considered letting himself go to become a 'fat actor' to get work
UN appeals for $2.8 billion to help 3 million Palestinians in desperate need of food and other aid
Solomon Islanders cast votes in an election that will shape relations with China
Emily Henry interview: The secret to having a healthy relationship with love
Lynn earns his first win in second stint with Cards, who beat A's before season
China's logistics sector continues upward trend in Q1
Apple CEO says company is 'looking at' manufacturing in Indonesia
Links
- Pentagon leaders press Congress for Ukraine funding, saying battlefield situation is dire
- Columbia's Abbey Hsu chosen as Met Writers Association Player of the Year
- Plane passenger lifts the lid on WILD conspiracy theories surrounding Denver airport
- Hugh Grant settles suit alleging illegal snooping by The Sun tabloid
- Man up for parole more than 2 decades after Dartmouth College professor stabbing deaths
- Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai producing. An election nigh. ‘Suffs’ has timing on its side
- Alaska Airlines has brief ground stop due to technical issue
- The U.N. rights chief says eastern Congo's escalating violence is being forgotten by the world
- Pentagon leaders press Congress for Ukraine funding, saying battlefield situation is dire
- Meghan's fruity flop? Only THREE unfamous faces out of 50 chosen jam