The Press and Publication Administration of China (PPAC) said
yesterday that a series of online games featuring 100 national
heroes being developed to promote patriotism will include Lei Feng,
a former People's Liberation Army soldier and iconic symbol of
altruism.
Shi Feng, PPAC vice director, said the act aims to promote
"healthy" games and create a "green" cyberspace unpolluted by
violence.
A Shanghai-based web company is developing the series, called
"Heroes of China," with the support of the PPAC, as first announced
earlier this year to redress a market dominated by violent
games.
Lei Feng became a household name in China in 1963, when the late
Chairman Mao Zedong urged the whole nation to learn from his
behavior.
Zheng Chenggong, who took back Taiwan province from Dutch
invaders more than 340 years ago, Bao Zheng, famed as an honest and
upright official, and Yue Fei, known for his patriotic spirit and
integrity, have also been included in the games.
Tang Jun, president of the web company, said young people may
learn the stories of the heroes through playing the games and be
influenced by their characters.
The games are expected to take as long as ten years to
develop.
(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2005)