Gallant show

Huang Ge, a cancer victim, has visited 82 cities across the country, accompanied by his father, saying thanks in-person to everyone who helped them. Photos by Yu Qing

Even their water bucket had three holes in it. They were in their 70s, sick and starving. But these frail souls were given a helping hand from a woman in her early thirties who barely had enough money to feed her ownfamily.

Since then, the old couple's saviour, 'Sister Zhen' (whose real name is Lin Xiuzhen) has helped the elderly in her village for 40 years and just recently her efforts were finally recognised.

Lin is part of a group that includes the poor and the wealthy, the young and old, a soldier and scientist whose deeds have been recognised in CCTV-1's (China Central Television) "China is Inspired", a yearly television event, which began in 2002, dedicated to those who have deeply touched the country over the past year.

'Sister Zhen'

In the winter of 1967, Lin Xiuzhen was married in the village of Nanchenzan in Hebei Province and had a two-year-old son. It was then that she and her husband started to take care of an old and childless couple.

Aged 78 and 76 years old respectively, Zhu Shugui and Liu Xiuhuan were both feeble and sick. When Lin decided to look after them, the head of village tried to talk her out of it.

"You just entered your thirties," he said. "I know the young often make rash decisions. Think it over."

Lin Xiuzhen has helped the elderly in her village for 68 years.

But Lin had thought about it for a long time. She had watched the old couple carry a small bucket with three holes in it to fetch water from a well outside of the village everyday. They would stagger home and by the time they got there the bucket would be half empty.

Lin began helping them work and sent them food whenever she cooked. Lin's devotion to the elderly over the years would earn her the name 'Sister Zhen'.

But sadly, Lin's selflessness came at a price: she was not able to be at her mother's bedside when she died.

Lin has also sponsored 14 children through college, but never sought recognition for her deeds.

In keeping with her modest approach, Lin was even reluctant to accept the CCTV award.

A ray of sunshine

At the age of seven, Huang Ge was diagnosed with cancer and doctors said he only had 11 more years left to live.

Knowing that his life could end at any moment, Huang, then 14, traveled the country with his father to give thanks to the people who donated money to him.

They visited 82 cities, covering more than 13,000 kilometers, saying thanks in-person to everyone who had helped them.

"The doctors say I will only live until I'm eighteen. I don't hope to live long, however, I would be delighted if I could just live an extra two years to see the 2008 Olympics," Huang Ge said.

"I have nothing to regret in my life," he said, "I have felt the warmth from society as a whole."

Generosity at its best

When asked how much money he had donated in his lifetime, Henry Fok said: "My donation is just like a drop of water in the sea, its function is very little."

Born in 1923 in Guangdong Province, Henry Fok (also known as Huo Yingdong) became a famous Hong Kong business magnate. Fok was also the vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and was arguably the most powerful Hongkonger in Chinese politics.

Fok died in October last year and was awarded by CCTV for his philanthropy. In 1984, he founded the Fok Ying Tung Foundation one of the largest charities in Hong Kong.

He funded a business park in the southern city of Guangzhou next door to Hong Kong through the Foundation pledging HK$800 million ($100 million) to the initiative.

The 'father' of Chinese atmospheric science

Ye Duzheng, meteorologist and president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), is 91 years old this year. In 1948, he received a doctorate in America and took up a job paying $4,300 a year.

As soon as the People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded in 1949, Ye returned. Noting the motivation for his return to China, Ye said: "I am Chinese and therefore should give help to China - It's my responsibility."

Ye is considered as the founder of Chinese atmospheric physics and was awarded the State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award - the nation's highest scientific prize - in 2005 by President Hu Jintao.

Hong Kong business magnate Henry Fok donated millions to charities but saw it all as just 'a drop in the sea.'

After receiving the award in 2005 he said: "President Bush said he considered China as America's rival."

"To be considered as a rival to the world's superpower is a great feat, compared to that, my prize is nothing."

One-armed hero

Colonel Ding Xiaobing of the People's Armed Police was the first to be given an award by the CCTV show in 2006.

Aged 41, Colonel Ding joined the army in 1983 and lost his right arm when a grenade exploded on a 'military mission' in an unspecified Chinese border area in 1984.

Last year, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao jointly signed an order bestowing the title of 'heroic loyal guard' on Ding.

The CCTV show host Jing Yidan asked the Colonel, "When you were called a hero 20 years ago, did you have any conflicting thoughts?"

This question reminded Ding of a letter that he received from a student at Nanjing Aerospace College.

The student wrote: "As a hero, you only passed the first key point. If I lost my arm like you, I would become a hero too - I do not admire you now. If you do more heroic deeds in the future, maybe I will admire you then."

Over twenty years, Colonel Ding Xiaobing has been honored with 284 medals, proving that he is more than worthy of the title 'hero'.

Not forgetting to mention

The late Dr Hua Yiwei once told his wife he'd devote his whole life to one thing treating patients well.

A famous Chinese surgeon of the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Amy, Dr Hua died of stomach cancer on August 12 last year aged 73.

Dr Hua's CCTV award for dedication to medical care was presented on his behalf to his wife, Zhang Yanrong.

Bomb disposal expert Wang Baixing from the Henan Province Police Department was also awarded.

Joining the Henan Police Department from the army in 1985, Wang has risked his life dismantling over 15,000 bombs left from various wars over the past century.

Ji Xianlin, a 95-year-old historian and writer recognised for his lifetime dedication to academia.

An award was also given to Ji Xianlin, a 95-year-old historian and writer for his lifetime dedication to academia. Ji taught at Peking University, dividing his time between giving lectures and studying many famous European works. He still studies and writes today.

Kong Xiangrui, 52, has made over 150 inventions over the past 34 years, generating 84 million yuan ($10.5 million) profit for his company and receiving the national Blue-collar Expert Award.

Early in 2004, a mysterious woman under the name 'Fine Dust' donated over 50,000 yuan ($6,250) to battle the SARS epidemic. Since then, she has given thousands of yuan to a wide range of relief efforts for disasters such as the Kashgar earthquake, the Hunan flood and the Indian Ocean tsunami.

The identity of 'Fine Dust' is still unknown, she wasn't at the ceremony and her award remains uncollected.

(China Daily 03/02/2007 page20)