US president impresses young Chinese

Amid piles of paperwork in his simple office on the outskirts of Beijing, a 28-year-old public welfare lawyer pauses to say his job is special because he feels a kinship with the most powerful man in the United States.

"I am young, passionate and dedicated to helping the poor of the community with my knowledge," said Li Songchen, who represents migrant workers at the Beijing Zhicheng Law Firm.

"Barack Obama at my age was doing the same thing."

When he was in his twenties, Obama worked for a church-based community organization on Chicago's far South Side and worked on civil rights cases with a small law firm.

The same drive to support the disadvantaged helps Li tackle challenges on the job and in life.

Li lives on a thin salary and deals with legal cases that often last years and offer few opportunities to win.

"Part of the reasons for Obama's popularity comes from his knowledge of ordinary people through his grassroots and community experience," Li said.

"The more you talk to the people at the bottom, the most disadvantaged people, the wider vision you gain, the better communication skills you acquire," Li said.

Li is among the young Chinese who have gained new perspectives about their responsibilities, and about equality and sacrifice through Obama's stories.

As the first African-American president, at age 48, Obama has made himself approachable to young people with his smiles, and through Internet communication tools including Twitter and Facebook.

"Whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical what gives me the most hope is the next generation: the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change has already made history" Obama said in March 2008.

During his visit to Shanghai, Obama will discuss Sino-US relations with young Chinese people.

In advance of that dialogue, the response from the Chinese side is warm.

"He seems to be a role model to me," said Ding Yi, a 24-year-old graduate student in Guangzhou who has followed Obama since the 2008 presidential campaign.

She said she respects the president for his enduring ties with the common man - a stark contrast to the aloofness of many American politicians.

"Most politicians usually have tough images," Ding said. "But Obama's cordial smiles and gestures and his willingness and persistence to (advocate) change for a better life make people feel warm and safe."

Young people have also taken note of president's family ties with China.

Obama's half brother, Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo has lived in Shenzhen for seven years.

"I think his first visit to China and meeting its people will give him new impressions, which will improve our bilateral ties," said Ding.

Respect notwithstanding, some students have raised questions about the president's global responsibility after his "trophy": the Nobel Peace Prize awarded last month.

In a survey earlier this month by China Daily, 158 out of 200 students in Beijing are most interested about the president's feelings about garnering the award within the first year of his presidency.

Cui Yue, a student at Peking University, said how Obama manages the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq is a big issue.

"He promised to end the war in his election speeches, but until now it seems the United States has had to dispatch more troops there," she said. "We are expecting him to do more for world peace."

"Actions speak louder than words," said Wang Yiwen, who is to graduate next year from the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

"We are looking forward to Obama's substantial actions to make a change for people around the world."

(China Daily 11/14/2009 page18)

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