Granddaughter promotes patriotic education to honor grandfather's legacy

Zheng Ran, a community worker in Feicheng, Wanping Street of Fengtai district, Beijing, has spent the past 13 years promoting peace and patriotic education to continue the legacy of her grandfather, Zheng Fulai.

Zheng Fulai was a victim of the July 7 Incident in 1937 at Lugou Bridge in Wanping town, an event that marked the start of China's full-scale resistance against Japanese invasion during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931–45). After the war, he dedicated his life to rebuilding the town and educating younger generations about the importance of seeking peace while remaining brave in the face of aggression.

In 2015, he was honored as a "role model of the era" for his lifelong commitment.

Inspired by her grandfather, Zheng Ran gave up career opportunities after graduating from China University of Political Science and Law to work at the grassroots level.

She recalled how her grandfather encouraged her to return home to Wanping and continue his mission. "He often told me: 'Wouldn't it be wonderful to bring back what you've learned and help build your hometown?' Now I am passing on the very spirit that he gave me."

In her work, Zheng organises storytelling sessions about Lugou Bridge, promotes patriotic education for children, and encourages residents to engage with "red stories" from modern Chinese history. She sees her efforts as a continuation of her grandfather's storytelling, a way to keep the message alive for the next generation.

Zheng hopes more young people, including her own children, will join her in preserving this legacy by ensuring the stories of resistance remain alive in contemporary China and fostering a spirit of peace and community building.