Yue Fei, a childhood hero of Xi Jinping

As a patriot, Xi Jinping attributes his initial awakening to a love for his country to Yue Fei, a childhood hero and an iconic patriot in China.

Yue Fei, a military commander from the 12th century, stands as a symbol of loyalty in Chinese culture. Legend has it that Yue's mother tattooed four Chinese characters onto his back: "Jing Zhong Bao Guo," translating to "serve the country with unreserved loyalty."

At the tender age of five or six, Xi's mother carried him to a bookstore, where they purchased picture books depicting Yue's story. Upon returning home, his mother narrated the tale. "Wouldn't it hurt to have his back tattooed?" young Xi inquired. His mother responded, "Certainly, it hurt. Yet, it also etched the commitment into Yue's mind."

These four characters—Jing Zhong Bao Guo—have lingered in Xi's memory. They have evolved into the lifelong pursuit that defines him.