We all have our idols. Like everyone else, Xi Jinping has his role models.

One of Xi's role models is Jiao Yulu, who served as the Party chief of Lankao county in Central China's Henan province in the 1960s.

Jiao was the Party chief of Lankao county in Central China's Henan province in the 1960s. He led the locals to overcome various hardships, such as sandstorms, saline-alkali land and floods, to improve their lives. Unfortunately, Jiao passed away at the age of 42 in 1964 due to liver cancer.

There is a touching story about Jiao that is often told. After his liver cancer worsened, he was forced to poke at his belly with the lid of a cup or a stick to alleviate the agony, while his other hand pushed against the right armrest of his chair, which was gradually worn down with a hand-sized hole.

"His story has had a very profound influence on me," Xi said.

In 2014, Xi visited a memorial dedicated to Jiao in Henan. When speaking at a symposium with local officials, Xi told them, "Jiao built a lasting monument in local people's hearts although he only worked in the county for just over a year... A question to be pondered is what we can leave for future generations."

People's lives on earth maybe limited, Xi noted, but the precious spiritual wealth of role models is immortal.