Preserving Lei Feng's legacy today

China observed the 52nd "Lei Feng's Day" on Thursday, when people across the country helped others and volunteered in remembrance of Chairman Mao's call to "learn from Comrade Lei Feng."

But five decades later, the legacy left by Lei Feng, a soldier lauded for his selflessness, is complicated. Some have asked whether there is still a need to learn from him. The answer is yes.

Some people argue that Lei is a mere propaganda tool, while others say his "spirit" is obsolete in today's day and age.

They are narrow-minded. Casting doubt on Lei's credibility simply because the government promotes him as a role model does not do justice to Lei's spirit or the selflessness and dedication of today's volunteers.

Lei lived in a time without social media. If he lived today, he would have to avoid much more temptation, but we still see the power of his spirit in many "contemporary Lei Fengs."

In Liaoning, where Lei is buried, miner Guo Mingyi made a name for himself by helping those in need. Guo spends around half of his annual salary sponsoring 180 children to attend school. He has also been a regular blood donor for more than 20 years. In turn, Guo's deeds have inspired many others across the country.

Preserving Lei Feng's legacy is necessary when today's young people hesitate to help elderly people and would-be good samaritans must worry about the consequences of being a "good guy."

The case of Meng Ruipeng, a student from North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, shows the slippery slope of moral decay.

Meng died while saving the lives of two drowning girls in February, but the girls' mother denied his heroic act out of fear she may have to compensate Meng's family.

Though she finally conceded that Meng saved the girls, the incident has surely not helped convince people to "learn from Lei Feng."

Society is never short of good will. More than a thousand people attended Meng's funeral -- a sign that people admire good samaritans.

The purpose of promoting the spirit of Lei Feng is not to lift Lei as an individual, but to advocate good morality.

Some people would do good deeds even without Lei. But some people only mock, instead of reflecting on what they can learn from him.