The man who keeps the memory of Lei Feng alive every day

From the posters and slogans scattered around the city, you may be aware that today is Lei Feng (1940-62) Day. However, one exhibition space in Fengtai district does not just need a day to commemorate the most highly lauded People's Liberation Army soldier and that would be the Lei Feng Information Exhibition Hall, which is currently expanding from one floor to four. He Chaohai, its founder and spokesman, answered some of our questions on the secrets behind Lei Feng.

When did you first become interested in Lei Feng?

It was when the People's Daily published Mao Zedong's announcement about learning from comrade Lei Feng in the 1960s, when I was just 13 years old. Seven other youngsters from school decided to set up a Lei Feng study group in Fujian Province. I later moved up to Beijing to join a Lei Feng spirit promotion team, which involved volunteering anywhere that needed me. Later in 1989, I collected 100,000 yuan ($15,878) and opened an exhibition hall in Fentai, which stands to this day.

Is there anything particularly worth mentioning in the exhibition?

Apart from hundreds of photographs displayed here, there are also many items related to Lei Feng. For instance, a lamp Lei Feng used when he worked in the countryside in Hunan Province in the 1950s, a hammer he used in a factory and a defused bomb from his military training. We also have an old tricycle, which whilst not personally related to Lei Feng, was an essential means of transport I used to carry Lei Feng posters around Beijing on from the 1970s to 1990s.

Do people truly understand what you do and support you?

Ninety percent of people agree with what I have been doing, but not all. There are a few that are definitely against it. It really depends on the person.

Have you encountered any extreme cases of people against your Lei Feng promotion?

There have been a few occasions. Some people did not understand me and thought I was doing this to pursue my own glory. One time a group came and tried to block access to the exhibition hall with bricks. In another instance, some tried to rob stuff from the display and beat up staff members.

Why do you do things that the government is supposed to do?

You are not the first person who has asked me this question. Many people told me that this promotional work is not my responsibility and that I should ask for financial support from the government for my work. We have actually sent proposals to the authorities, but got no response.

Are there changes in people's attitude towards Lei Feng compared to the past?

Times have changed. The public and media almost unanimously focus on Lei Feng Day, but after that there is a long period of silence. My action of promoting Lei Feng is by no means a cult of personality as some think it is. Rather, it was the selfless and accommodating spirit of his that I think is worth promoting to this day.