Hard work always has its rewards.
That's the case with Liu Xianlin, a researcher nearing 80 years old. He is being celebrated online as shining example of a man with tireless diligence and dedication.
A photo of Liu, 78, was posted on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, recently and it is leaving many on the Internet in awe.
Photo from Weibo @jigongzhanlue
He is shown in a second-class cabin of a high-speed train hunched over while preparing a report for Wednesday’s scientific achievements conference in Beijing. Liu works at the prestigious Chinese Academy of Engineering and he was traveling from central China’s Henan Province to Beijing.
Screenshot from Weibo
The photo was posted on Tuesday by @jigongzhanlue. The image quickly gained over 310,000 “likes” on Weibo.
“This is more positive than the meaningless headlines of entertainment stars,” said @INFJ827.
“Look at his (old) shoes, I’m going to cry,” a user who goes by the name @xipishiwandashixiong added.
“He is the old generation scientist, devoting his entire life to China’s development…I have no argument if they earn the highest wages,” @rouwandoudouer said.
78-year-old Liu Xianlin/ Beijing News Photo
An expert in mapping, Liu still takes field trips almost once a week, and he does not want too much media exposure to distract him from his research. “I hope this stops and no one digs any further,” Liu told Hongxing News.
Liu is one of the pioneer researchers that were selected at the Chinese Engineering Academy in 1994. He is the honorary dean of the Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping.
Liu's working office /Hongxing News Photo
China has been considering raising the retirement age in the country. The revised plan submitted last year was expected to be officially announced this year after public deliberation. The retirement laws in China enacted in 1978 mandate that men retire at 60, while women retire at 55 if they are public servants or 50 if they are blue-collar workers.
Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping Photo
Yu Yong, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told ChinaDaily that a reform plan for the retirement of researchers like Liu is on the way. Respected researchers like Liu, who in China are referred to as academicians, will be required to retire at 70. Some above 75 will have to retire by the end of this year, which means Liu may have to step away from his work soon.
Liu told Hongxing News he has no plans of doing so.
