Xi's example in his youth inspires students

Thousands of students at Shaanxi Normal University have drawn inspiration from President Xi Jinping's seven years as an "educated youth" in the small village of Liangjiahe in Shaanxi province.

The university opened a compulsory course in September on Xi's seven years of service in Liangjiahe to help students learn how the young Xi Jinping grew up in adversity.

From 1969 to 1975, Xi lived and worked in the village as part of a campaign launched by Chairman Mao Zedong that called on urban youth to gain life experience by working in rural areas.