This Mother’s Day, stories of family legacies take center stage—and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upbringing offers a unique glimpse into how integrity shapes leadership.
A Mother’s Wisdom
Xi’s mother, Qi Xin, once transcribed a Ming Dynasty motto: ‘Justice distinguishes right from wrong; integrity builds authority.’ These words became guiding principles for her son.
Family First, Always
When Xi rose to leadership roles, his mother convened a family meeting to ensure no relatives engaged in business activities in regions under his governance. Talk about setting boundaries!
Leading by Example
Influenced by his family, Xi urged friends and relatives to avoid leveraging his name for personal gain. His governance philosophy? ‘Integrity isn’t optional—it’s essential.’
Fighting Corruption, Building Trust
At a key anti-corruption meeting this year, Xi emphasized stricter family rules for officials and public campaigns to uphold integrity. ‘Resistance to corruption starts at home,’ he noted.
