Working for the people is perfect for a 78-year-old

Lu Meihua, a 78-year-old woman, has great affection for the Communist Party of China (CPC). She has applied for Party membership 30 times!

For what reason was she so keen to join the Party? At a community activity held in Xixia district, Yinchuan, capital city of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, a young Party member could not help probing into Lu's past.

Lu Meihua (L), learns Party's thoughts after retirement. [Photo by Xu Liang]

In 1964, Lu, just 21 years old, lived in a village in Xuchang city, Henan province. In response to the country's call, she plunged into farming work, dedicating her efforts to her hometown.

Several officials drew Lu's attention. When there was a tough job, they always rushed to do it. Besides, each of them paid door-to-door visits in the village, inquiring about local residents' demands and helping offload their problems.

Out of curiosity, she asked a cadre: "How can you be so kind to the people without expecting anything in return?"

"Because we are Party members!" was the reply.

These words left a deep impression on Lu. She then decided to take them as examples.

Affected by the officials, Lu's impulse to draw closer to the Party grew stronger.

Soon after, Lu turned to the village officials for help, expressing her intention to join the Party. After listening to a patient explanation of the procedures, Lu wrote the first application for Party membership in her life that night and handed it over early the next morning.

Days passed, there was no response. Lu reflected on herself and decided to improve her knowledge about the Party.

She asked the cadres to help her learn Party history, and to share details with her about what they had done for the people.

According to Lu, every time she got some fresh thoughts, she would submit an application. In just half a year, she did that 30 times.

Also, she became more active in her work. She was the first to arrive in the farmland every day, and took on heavy and tiring work.

In 1965, Lu application was approved!

Lu said with moist eyes, "I thought at the time that the CPC is the most advanced organization in the country that wholeheartedly serves the people. I wanted to behave like those officials living and working in villages."

Lu checks the process of garbage sorting in Xixia district, Yinchuan, capital city of Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region.  [Photo by Xu Liang]

She lived up to her promise. In 1985, Lu and her husband came to Xixia district. For the past 36 years, Lu has always strictly required herself to be an excellent Party member.

Whenever a venue was limited, she mobilized local Party members to study at the individual homes in turn.

Last year, she took the initiative to launch voluntary activities for epidemic prevention in local communities. To cultivate Yinchuan into a national civilized city, she also felt obliged to patrol the city for public security.

"Now I still want to be a qualified Party member who retires but retains true to my aspiration," said Lu, "I will continue to shine somewhere. Joining the Party is the most regretless choice I have made in my life!"