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Jinzhu elder preserves history with newspaper clippings

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated: January 15, 2024 L M S

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Li Gensong is making newspaper clippings in his home in Jinzhu village, Jinzhu county in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Newspapers hanging on white walls, glue and scissors lying on the table, and bookshelves brimming with newspaper clippings, this is the home of Li Gensong, an elder Party member living in the Jinzhu village, Jinzhu county in Lishui, Zhejiang province.

Li Gensong, 89, started cutting newspapers in 1998. Over the past 25 years, he has produced more than 800 copies of newspaper clippings.

"I started subscribing to newspapers in 1998 right after my retirement, hoping to stave off mental aging by reading more," said Li. In order to save the useful information he gained from the newspapers, Li began making cuttings.

Li's newspaper cuttings cover many categories, including politics, military, agriculture, transportation, and culture. They are arranged neatly on bookshelves, with handwritten category names on their spines.

The newspaper clippings have also brought great benefits to other Party members and cadres in the village. Hua Shumei, director of the village's supervisory committee, complimented that the abundant material gives them a convenient resource for looking up relevant information.

Su Yi, deputy Party secretary in Jinzhu county, said that they often invite Li to give lectures and share his experience. "Schools also borrow Li's newspaper clippings to put on display and circulate for perusal," added Su.

News in the newspapers has become part of the past, while Li's passion and perseverance are still ongoing. "As long as I am able, I will continue to make newspaper clippings. Our days get better and better each year, and I plan to keep documenting them," said Li.