The Silk Road Journal by Mahika Ming

The Father’s day is celebrated around the world on the third Sunday of June. In 2021 it was on 20^th June. A father plays an influential role on every child. The impact made on the development of the personality and the shaping of a child’s character by a father is indeed important and can’t be easily substituted. Chinese President Xi Jinping is no exception. According to Chinese analysts, the Chinese leader had inherited three notable qualities from his late father Xi Zhongxun (1913-2002). Late senior Xi was a founder member and one time leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state.

The people centered philosophy is the most important treasure Xi Jinping got from his late father. Senior Xi was a leader who strongly believed in equality among officers and masses. According to historic records the father had always insisted that the son should maintain close ties with the people, and should always stay approachable to the people.

What President Xi learned about his father's down to earth approach is quite visible whenever he is with the public. He was in fact humble enough to visit Sri Lanka to inaugurate the largest ever investment project in the history of Sri Lanka (the Port City) at a time when some powerful leaders were avoiding visits to Sri Lanka and others humiliating Sri Lanka after arriving in the country on the invitation of the SL government especially during the CHOGAM conference etc.

The third lesson many sons can learn is living a simple life. According to Chinese sources from the time of the late Deputy Prime Minister Xi in the early 1950s till now, the Xi's are living a living a simple disciplined life. Xi Zhongxun has always insisted that senior Party officials can only discipline others by starting with own family & had got Xi Jinping & his brother to wear old clothes & shoes of their elder sisters to live within the family income. Sri Lankans may know many sons who have not learned above lessons which the Chinese leader learned from his late father. Buddhist teachings praise all fathers for their struggle to; protect, feed, love and position their children among kings and leaders. Life of Xi Zhongxun should be studied by kings if they wish to see their sons rule their lands in the future.

The writer is an analyst with interests in the financial and sustainable development sectors with postgraduate exposure in the Far East (mahika.ming@gmail.com).