Xi Jinping with his father Xi Zhongxun in Hainan in August 1978. [Photo/CCTV]

"Your deeds inspired me to devote my life to the cause of serving the people and paying back my splendid motherland and my fellow people," Xi Jinping wrote affectionately in a letter sent to his father Xi Zhongxun in 2001.

Xi Jinping has been greatly influenced by his father's words and deeds. Xi Zhongxun encouraged his children to start from the grassroots and work in places where the country needs them the most. When Xi Zhongxun was appointed to work in Guangdong province in April 1978, the 65-year-old used to stay up late working and visited 23 counties of the province despite the scorching heat in that summer.

 

A photo of Xi Zhongxun, Xi Jinping's father. [Photo/CGTN]

Inheriting his father's people-centered philosophy and down-to-earth approach, Xi Jinping began his political career by working at grassroots level. He inspected local situation industriously to obtain firsthand information and better target development bottlenecks. Since taking the top job more than a decade ago, when Xi makes inspection trips to rural areas, especially the once poverty-stricken regions, he often sees the locals' real life from up close, asking about issues that concern them the most to make their lives better.

Xi Zhongxun once said to his son: "No matter what your job title is, serve the people diligently, consider the interests of the people with all your heart, maintain close ties with the people, and always stay approachable to the people."

This is the original aspiration passed down from Xi's father to him, and he has been living up to it.