Lei Feng

Lei Feng was a People’s Liberation Army soldier whose posthumous portrayal as a selfless communist made him a model of civic virtue in China.

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Lei Feng Diary: A published collection presented as Lei Feng’s diary, recording acts of service and devotion to the Chinese Communist Party. Its publication supplied the first-person account that anchored Lei Feng’s exemplary public image.
Socialist morality: An ethical framework that evaluates conduct through ideals such as collective welfare, equality, and social responsibility. Lei Feng’s story presents personal kindness as service to the socialist collective.
Lei Feng Day: China’s annual observance on March 5 promoting emulation of Lei Feng and community service. The observance institutionalized his example as a recurring public activity.
Lei Feng's death: Lei Feng died in 1962 after being struck by a falling telephone pole while serving in Fushun. His death preceded the national campaign that turned his service into a public ideal.
Learn from Lei Feng campaign: A Chinese mass campaign launched in 1963 to promote emulation of Lei Feng’s selflessness and political commitment. The campaign transformed his personal image into a nationwide civic model.
Selflessness: Concern for others that places their welfare ahead of one’s own interests. His public image centers on helping others without seeking personal reward.
Cultural Revolution: A political upheaval in China from 1966 to 1976 that mobilized mass campaigns and attacks on perceived enemies. Lei Feng’s image was amplified during a period when political devotion and model figures carried exceptional weight.
Lei Feng's photographs: A widely circulated set of staged photographs depicts Lei Feng performing exemplary work and service. The images made the model’s ordinary acts visible, though their staged nature complicates their evidentiary value.
Mao Zedong: The Chinese Communist revolutionary who led the People’s Republic of China from its founding until 1976. Mao’s 1963 inscription urging people to learn from Lei Feng gave the campaign its authoritative endorsement.
Civic virtue: Personal qualities and practices that support the welfare and functioning of a political community. Lei Feng became a state-promoted example of good conduct in public and community life.