Xi encourages octogenarian actor to set model for artists

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping has encouraged Niu Ben, an 83-year-old Chinese actor, to play a vanguard and exemplary role as a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and continue to set examples for others in engaging in art and conducting oneself.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks Monday in a letter to Niu, who was admitted to the Party in May.

"I am pleased to hear that you have realized your long-cherished wish by joining the CPC at a senior age," Xi said in the letter.

"You consider the Party as the mother and regard joining the Party as a sacred thing, and keep pursuing such progress for more than 60 years," said Xi. "Your resolve to follow the Party for life is touching."

Noting that Niu has portrayed many highly-acclaimed characters over the years, Xi encouraged Niu to inspire more artists and writers to be faithful, thoughtful and responsible to contribute to the prosperity of socialist literature and art.

On May 31, Niu Ben was admitted as a probationary CPC member. The event aroused widespread attention.

Niu, who formerly worked with the Shanghai Film Studio, started acting from the age of 11, and has since played roles in a number of films, such as "Dragon Beard Ditch," "The Red Detachment of Women" and "Legend of Tianyun Mountain."

In 2017, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the prestigious Golden Rooster Awards for his contribution to the Chinese film industry.

Inspired by a previous generation of filmmakers, Niu has aspired to join the CPC since his youth. In recent years, he has expressed his will to join the Party on multiple occasions.