State-Councilor Chen Zhili Tuesday paid a visit to Huo Maozheng, an 83-year old retired elementary school teacher in Beijing, on behalf of Premier Wen Jiabao, to salute all Chinese teachers for the coming Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year that falls on January 22 this year.

Earlier, some teachers wrote to the premier to recommend Huo, saying she is a good example for those who have graduated from higher learning institutions and are willing to teach elementary students.

In 1943, Huo graduated from the prestigious Beijing Normal University, declined a job opportunity offered by her Alma Mater, and began working as an elementary school teacher. In 1949, she attended the ceremony of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the representative of schoolteachers.

In 1956, Huo was among the first group of people who were granted the academic title of Special-Class Teacher by the government. Her motto is "No Love, No Education".

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2004)