Family Story: self-employed pen-repairer becomes national model worker

From self-employed entrepreneur to the “builder of socialism”

I was awarded "Excellent Builder of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" in 2007; this was a great honor that touched me most.

Background: since 1984, the social status of the self-employed worker has risen greatly. For the first time, a self-employed worker was given the model worker award and elected as an NPC deputy and even invited to the memorial service for Deng Xiaoping.

A phone call came to the shop, and Zhang Guangyi was asked to take part in the commendation meeting in Taijichang. Zhang was completely confused. After careful listening, he knew that he had been selected as Beijing’s Model Worker. “I could not figure that out.” Later he heard that the newly-founded Beijing Private-Owned Business Association (CPBA) recommended him based on his performance.

Zhang felt that he was respected, unlike what he experienced during the Culture Revolution. He was selected as Beijing Model Worker in 1984, 1988 and 1995; in 1989 he was elected as the National Model Worker. In addition, he was honored as Beijing’s Advanced Self-Employed Worker, a National Advanced Self-Employed Worker, and a Trustworthy Self-Employed Entrepreneur.

Zhang Guangyi was also elected as member of Beijing People’s Congress. After Deng Xiaoping died, he received an invitation from the funeral committee and was permitted to take part in the memorial service in the Great Hall of the People. According to Zhang Guangyi, it was a mark of approval for him from the government and the people.

In 2007, he was jointly selected by eight departments including United Front Work Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee as Outstanding Builder of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. This is the honor he values the most. The bright red color on the certificate glows. With the certificate in hands, the bitter memories of being criticized when he was young have vanished.

The business of pen repair has gradually declined in Beijing. The Dongsi area becomes prosperous. This little store, which can be traced back to 1920’s and 1930’s, is being surrounded by rows of fashion stores.

Zhang Guangyi can earn about 1000 yuan per month. People often ask him to rent the storefront. The land price of Dongsi is very high, and the rent by itself would be much more than his monthly earnings.

In the eyes of Zhang Guangyi, since he has the skill, he wants to give something back to society in return. Among his customers, there are many seniors over eighty. Some of them had their pens repaired when they were students, and they still come here after they retired. The brands of pen that Zhang Guangyi has repaired include Jinxing and Yongsheng. The factories that produced these pens were closed down already, but he can still repair the damaged pen tips.

A girl from Shunyi came to repair her pen, and she said that the Hero pen was given to her as a gift by a friend and it is too bad the pen was broken.

A student came to visit Zhang, and wanted to learn something about pen selection and maintenance.

“How old are you?” They all asked this question before they left. With smiles, Zhang Guangyi answered them again and again, “Eighty. I am old.”

Translated by LOTO