Jigme Dorje, Du Fuguo and Peng Shilu. These names may sound unfamiliar to the foreign ear, but when their stories are told, everyone will find in them qualities they can identify with. 

Jigme Dorje is an ethnic Tibetan postal vehicle driver in Sichuan province. For more than 30 years, he has risked his life traversing a dangerous route on average 3,500 meters above sea level. Du lost his eyes and forearms trying to protect his fellow soldier in an explosion during a mine clearance operation. Peng was a scientist who played a key role in the development of China's nuclear submarines and power plants.

They are among the 124 individuals and teams recognized as role models of the times. Since 2014, this title has been conferred to those who embody admirable characteristics.

Their good deeds have been publicized in traditional as well as new media, drawing an outpour of attention, empathy and respect. An exhibition recently opened in Beijing to reaffirm the relevance of their virtues. It is important to understand that the commendation of role models is not only a Chinese tradition, but is also part of a worldwide trend celebrating heroism.

People everywhere revere heroes, those demonstrating extraordinary courage and integrity. Like in other countries, heroes are made in China every day: Their occupations are varied; their actions are diverse; and while some are famous, most are not. Nevertheless, they all have something in common, namely a commitment to the public interest. They have contributed to society through hard work and helped others, and their nation at large, do better, by sacrificing themselves in one way or another. They put the greater good above their personal interests, caring little about fame or wealth.

In a nutshell, the heroes are better versions of us. In recent decades, China's rapid economic growth has fueled the rise of consumerism. In certain quarters, good virtues are being eroded with unwholesome practices such as the pursuit of extravagant lifestyles sparking concern. Against this backdrop, it is only apt to reflect on the ethos of the Chinese nation and revisit the most highly prized traits as exemplified by the role models. By promoting awareness of what they have done and why, society can be imbued with positive moral and ethical values and a sense of purpose in this fast-changing world.

International observers interested in China also have a reason to get to know these Chinese heroes. One of the most effective ways of gaining an authentic picture of a country is through understanding its people as they personify the national character.

When they relate the heroes in China to those in their own countries, they will find more shared values than differences. Some claim the Chinese have a collectivist culture while in the West individualism is more celebrated. This risks being one of the generalizations that have oversimplified a complex story.

In the West, too, voluntarism, altruism and self-sacrifice are greatly valued. One of the most notable examples may be Martin Luther King, Jr., the assassinated civil rights champion who devoted his life to ending injustices in the United States. More recently, the 2018 movie The 15:17 to Paris dramatized three courageous young Americans who thwarted a terrorist attack on a train while traveling through Europe.

In China, individual effort is prized as well. Take Du for example. After getting seriously injured, he struggled with fate, like a "self-made man" in the Western parlance. One of his sayings that resonates goes, "Despite my lost hands, I have legs to continue chasing after dreams. Despite my lost sight, as long as the sun can rise in my heart, my world remains ablaze with color." He launched a podcast in 2020, less than two years after the blast that forever changed his life trajectory.

Misunderstandings often result from inadequate knowledge. When we understand the rationale behind the role models' heroic acts, we will become better prepared to live a more fulfilling life. Also, an awareness of the commonality that transcends national borders can teach lessons when we deal with the differences that may divide nations. 

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