Xi and his 10 applications to join the Party

Fifty years ago, in the small village of Liangjiahe in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, a 20-year-old man joined the Communist Party of China. It was the first step in Xi Jinping's professional journey that would see him rise to the most senior position in the world's largest political party.

In 1969, 15-year-old Xi Jinping arrived in Liangjiahe under a campaign that saw tens of millions of urban educated youths experience rural life and work. He stayed in Liangjiahe for seven years, working and living alongside the farmers. Villagers described him as a "hard-working, fine young man". He gained the trust and approval of villagers through his rich experience and knowledge, with even the elderly seeking his advice.

It was also his years in Liangjiahe that taught Xi the people-oriented philosophy, solidifying his faith in the Party.

As a youth aspiring to political progress, Xi submitted his first application to join the Party in 1973. However, his journey to join the Party was no smooth ride.

Due to political circumstances at that time, Xi's application was not immediately approved. Liang Yuming, the then-village Party chief of Liangjiahe, was even chastised for helping Xi submit his application.

Xi was not dissuaded. His belief in the CPC and faith in striving for the happiness of the people was rooted in his heart. He applied again and again and again - in just 6 months, he wrote 10 letters in total.

In the end, the respect and trust he had earned from the villagers proved to be crucial. Xi's application was finally accepted. He joined the Party in 1974 and was later elected as the village Party chief of Liangjiahe.

As the village Party secretary of Liangjiahe, Xi spearheaded a series of social initiatives, including constructing a dam to protect farmland from floods and building a methane tank to provide villagers with gas for their cookers and lighting, which was the first of its kind in Shaanxi. Establishing an ironworks commune, a consignment agent, a sewing commune and a mill, organizing literacy classes, and leading the villagers in digging wells, Xi's efforts transformed villagers' life in Liangjiahe.

"As a public servant of the people, I have my roots deep in the northern Shaanxi plateau because it cultivated my unchanging mission: to do practical things for the people," Xi once wrote while recalling his years in Liangjiahe.

From a rural Party branch secretary to the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Xi remained committed to the oath when joining the Party: "Be loyal to the Party, work hard, fight for communism throughout my life, be ready at all times to sacrifice my all for the Party and the people".