Meeting with Mao makes couple's date with destiny

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 22, 2003

Meeting with Mao makes couple's date with destiny

Here in the capital of East China's Jiangxi Province lives a couple whose marriage is legendary.

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Here in the capital of East China's Jiangxi Province lives a couple whose marriage is legendary.

Forty-four years ago, when Chairman Mao Zedong came to visit his hometown of Shaoshan in Hunan Province, two school children presented him flowers on behalf of all the citizens.

A photo captured the memorable moment, showing the two youngsters standing close beside Chairman Mao, with bright smiles on their faces.

After middle school, they both went to Beijing to receive a college education, during which time they fell in love and started a family.

They are Jiang Hanyu and Peng Shuqing.

Peng, now a senior engineer, said they both worked for China's oil industry after graduation.

"Though the living and working conditions were bad, we made up our minds to dedicate ourselves to it. That was the nation's summons. That was Chairman Mao's summons," she said.

China's reform and opening up policy brought vigour to the oil business, said Jiang.

He said there was no mention of the market economy in Mao's time, which was understandable considering the historical background and the level of China's economic development.

"It also took me a long time to realize and accept the real meaning of enterprise reform," he said.

"Though Chairman Mao did not design the market economy prospect for China, he did hope that China would be wealthy and strong," said Jiang.

In their apartment the precious photo of that first meeting hangs in the most conspicuous place in the house.

"We miss him a lot and we wish he knew how happy our lives are," said Peng.

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