A restaurant in Nanjing using the image of Lei Feng, Mao's model
of the ideal soldier, as a poster has triggered debate as China
prepares for the hero's commemoration day on Monday.
Lei Feng was a soldier under Mao Zedong who died in an accident
in 1962. The 22-year-old was hailed as a paragon of virtue after
being hailed by Mao for having served the people with hs heart and
soul and inspiring the nation. Mao called upon the Chinese people
to "learn from Comrade Lei Feng" following his sacrifice. Lei
Feng's place in history was thus cemented as he was immortalized as
an emblem of selflessness and devotion.
According to local reports, the Nanjing restaurant's boss is
using Lei Feng as a poster to symbolize the qualities of
northeastern China, the place where Lei Feng served in the army.
This fresh controversy follows that caused by the pop song, "We're
all Living Lei Feng".
Waiters and waitresses from the restaurant were quoted as saying
their boss was passionate about Lei Feng, often telling them "we
northeasterners are living Lei Fengs". For this reason, an original
black-and-white photo of Lei Feng has been used replicated as the
restaurant's sigil, accompanied by a vertical calligraphy, claiming
"All northeasterners are living Lei Fengs".
However, the restaurant's effort, which the boss vehemently
denies is to attract more customers, has sparked controversy. A
retired teacher attacked the move, on the grounds that it
desecrates the spiritual model and insults social morality.
However, youthful opinions seemed to saw the other way as another
young man said the poster helped remind people of the "spirit of
Lei Feng" and was thus useful.
An official from Nanjing stressed there are no grounds at the
moment to deem the restaurant's act illegal since no detailed
regulations exist governing the use of Lei Feng's image.
(CRI.cn March 6, 2007)
