Xi Dongying

Xi Dongying was the younger sister of Xi Zhongxun, a senior leader of the Chinese Communist Party. She was one of the seven children of Xi Zongde and Chai Caihua, growing up in the Xi family of Fuping, Shaanxi. As the second daughter in the family, she shared a close bond with her siblings.

In 1996, Xi Dongying recalled her father Xi Zongde’s way of educating his children. She said that although her father had never attended school, he was experienced, well-mannered, and both kind and strict. With many children in the household, he often reminded them to respect elders, care for the young, avoid fighting, and not use harsh words. Whenever the children became noisy, a single cough from him would instantly quiet the entire house.

Xi Dongying remembered that her father upheld the belief of 'farming as the foundation, weaving as the family tradition,' and hoped his children would grow up to be hardworking and honest. Her brothers were taken to the fields at the age of five or six to do simple farm work such as weeding and hoeing, while she was given a spinning wheel to learn weaving alongside her mother.

These memories highlight Xi Dongying’s deep impression of her family life and reflect the frugal and upright family values in which she was raised.