DONG MAORUI, 105

Poverty fosters a desire for change. That's the most important lesson that Dong Maorui, of Hezhou's Zhongshan county, said he has learned in life.

Like most older people in Zhongshan, Dong married at a young age and expected to spend his life farming.

In 1939, when his son was just 1 year old, he was forced to join the Kuomintang army.

"We were served gruel for every meal, and it didn't fill our bellies, so I decided to run away," he said. Disguised as a porter, he managed to escape. Lacking money, he tried many odd jobs as he made his way home.

"I missed the war, but I have fought another battle against poverty all my life," he said.

Famine in the 1960s forced him to seek change again.

At the end of the 1970's, on the eve of reform and opening-up, he took a train to Yulin, 300 kilometers away, to purchase clothes, which he brought back to his hometown to sell at a small profit.

"Only a few people did business at that time. After many years and many changes, I finally made a comfortable living," Dong said. His wife bought him a gold watch costing 2,000 yuan in 1989, a memento he has kept for 30 years.

His advice to others: "Don't be afraid of change."

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