Editor's note: This year marks the centenary of the Communist Party of China. To learn more about the history of the ruling party of China, we will publish a series of inspiring stories shared by President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. Here's the second story, about a frugal and devoted nonagenarian named Gong Quanzhen.

Nonagenarian devoted to rural education

When meeting with national ethics role models and nominees in 2013, Xi expressed his respect for Gong Quanzhen, now 98, who went together with her husband to his rural hometown and devoted her life to teaching youngsters and helping locals in the mountainous region while living a frugal life herself. 

Gong is the wife of late general Gan Zuchang, who was among the leading cadres that helped found the People's Republic of China.

She has been a member of the Communist Party of China since 1952. Gong has devoted herself to education in rural areas. Since her retirement, she has continued to help people in need, and she cares deeply about the healthy growth of teenagers.

"Teaching is a proud profession. It is not easy to cultivate a child," she says. The value of her life, she said, is about teaching and caring for students, which she believes is her responsibility.