Spirit of Lei Feng lives on in Liuzhou

A Lei Feng Street Market has recently opened on Liuzhou's Gexin Road with more than 500 volunteers setting up stalls to provide free service like haircuts, sewing, home-appliance repair and health consultation to locals.

A volunteer gives a haircut to an elderly woman. [Photo/gx.people.cn]

Lei Feng is a cultural icon in China symbolizing selflessness, modesty, and dedication. A soldier of the People's Liberation Army, he died in 1962, when a telephone pole was struck by an army truck and hit him while he was directing the truck as it backed up.

In his short life of 22 years, Lei wholeheartedly served people and devoted himself to the Communist cause. March 5 was declared a national day in 1963 to honor him and encourage Chinese youth to follow his example.

The Lei Feng Street Market is a 54-year-old tradition in Liuzhou meant to carry on the spirit of the national hero. To date, a total of 18,000 volunteers of all ages have taken part in the cause, and the services they provide have become increasingly diversified.

Zhang Zhilin, an 81-year-old retired worker said that he had been offering free knife-sharpening services at the street market for the past 20 years.

Two volunteers repair electric kettles. [Photo/gx.people.cn]

An ophthalmologist offers free examination and treatment to a senior citizen. [Photo/gx.people.cn]