A symposium to mark the 240th anniversary of the birth of Lin Zexu, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) national hero known for resisting foreign incursions, was held in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, on Thursday. The aim of the event was to inspire province-wide efforts to advance reforms and expand openness.

Huang Jianxiong, a member of the Standing Committee of Communist Party of China Fuzhou Committee, emphasized the city's ongoing commitment to preserving and utilizing the hero's historical sites.

The city has built the largest archival center on Lin, housing over 4,000 related documents, and also introduced more than 80 cultural products and utilized various mediums such as books, documentaries, Fujian operas and educational courses to bring Lin's legacy to life, Huang said.

Lin Di, Lin Zexu's sixth-generation descendant, reflected on the enduring influence of his ancestor's commitment to national service. His famous words, "One should uphold his country's interest with his life, he should not do things just to pursue his personal gains", have become a guiding principle for both the family and the Chinese nation, he said.