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Family Photos Mirror China's Social Development, Convey Messages of Good Family Traditions

Given China's brilliant — and longstanding — culture, Chinese have adopted many fine traditions. Family traditions, which embody families' established moral standards and ways of life, are part of Chinese people's fine traditions.

In the report to the 20th CPC (Communist Party of China) National Congress (held in Beijing in October 2022), Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stressed efforts to carry forward traditional Chinese virtues, foster stronger family ties, values, and traditions.

Family photos tend to mirror the times. By studying the photos, and the stories related to the "treasures," one can better understand not only the tremendous changes that have taken place in Chinese society during the past several decades, but also the families' virtues and good traditions.

Despite the passage of time, and the changes in their lives, many Chinese treasure their families' photos. Several families, from different regions of the country, have shared their families' photos. The photos not only reflect social changes and development in contemporary China, but also convey messages of the families' virtues and good traditions.

Wang Yan's Family 

The photo was taken during Spring Festival 2020 (on February 12). Wang, from Panzhihua (a city in Southwest China's Sichuan Province), cannot remember in which year she picked up the "baton" (of cooking the family reunion dinner) from her parents. Every year, on Chinese New Year's Eve, the Wangs have a reunion dinner, like countless Chinese families. To the Wangs, it is the happiest family get-together (during the year), during which they chat while enjoying the "sumptuous meal." Wang's parents have set good examples for their children, especially in terms of being industrious and thrifty when managing the household. Influenced by their parents, Wang and her siblings try their best to save on food, water, electricity and other resources. 

Good Family Traditions: Leading a simple life, and being industrious and thrifty when managing the household

Ding Juntao's Family

The photo was snapped one day in 2017, when Ding's niece visited her grandparents (in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province). Since Ding and her elder siblings were little kids, their parents have set good examples for them in treating patients with kindness and compassion. Following in their parents' footsteps, Ding and her siblings have become medical workers. Soon after Ding became a doctor, her parents urged her to provide reliable, trustworthy services to her patients. 

Good Family Traditions: Staying upright, and being responsible, trustworthy doctors

Zhang Huarun's Family

The Zhangs posed for the photo one day in 2018, in front of their old house (in Panzhihua). Soon after, the dilapidated house was pulled down as part of Panzhihua's resettlement project. In the Zhangs' eyes, their former "shabby" home was priceless, as every member of the family left his/her growing "footprints" in the house. Zhang's parents, who live optimistic lives and treat others with respect and sincerity, are their children's idols. 

Good Family Traditions: Staying optimistic, and treating others sincerely

Zhu Qian's Family 

The photo was taken during the summer of 1965. In 1948, Yu Zhide, Zhu's grandmother, and Zhu's parents (who were then newlyweds) moved from Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to Fushun, a city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province. As a single mother, Yu earned a living by doing odd jobs. She saved every penny to pay for her daughter (Zhu's mother)'s education, until the latter began teaching at a local primary school more than seven decades ago. Yu was pleased, thanks to her, that her daughter had the best dowry (in the world) — knowledge. 

Good Family Traditions: Believing knowledge is power, and making persevering efforts to turn their dreams into reality

Li Jinwen's Family 

The photo was taken on a sunny autumn day in 2017, when Li and his siblings gathered in their hometown, Hohhot (capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), to attend a relative's wedding. As they chatted with each other in front of the cave dwelling (their former residence) that day, the siblings were aware, although they lived in different regions in the country, they cared for each other, and they were always ready to help each other. During the dozens of years that followed, Yu helped her daughter raise three children. Influenced by Yu, Zhu's parents did their work conscientiously. Zhu misses her grandmother and parents, who have passed away. 

Good Family Traditions: Being filial with their elders, and maintaining harmonious relationships with their family members

Photos Supplied by Interviewees

(Women of China English Monthly July 2023 issue)

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