China National People'S Congress Magazine Report | Hao Jianxiu: A Model Woman In The Textile Industry Of New China

She is a banner of the textile industry front in the early days of the founding of New China. She summarized and created the "Hao Jianxiu Work Method" in her work. At the age of 16, she was awarded the honorary title of "National Model Worker". She has successively served as Minister of the Ministry of Textile Industry, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Deputy Director of the National Planning Commission, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and other posts. She is Hao Jianxiu, the youngest of the NPC deputies.

In 1951, Hao Jianxiu toasted Chairman Mao on behalf of textile workers at the National Day banquet in Zhongnanhai. (Qiang Yong Presents the Picture)

Hao Jianxiu was born into a poor working family in Qingdao, Shandong Province in November 1935. In order to subsidize her family, at the age of 14, she came to work in the spinning workshop of Qingdao Guomian No. 6 Factory and became a spinning handyman.

The work flow of the spinner is very complicated, and the coordination requirements of the opponent, eye and brain are very high. Once the thread ends of the cotton thread are not connected properly, there will be a roll like knot, which will become leftover material.

Hao Jianxiu, who was diligent in thinking and good at summarizing, soon mastered the performance and operating rules of spinning wheels very skillfully, and gradually found out a set of systematic, standardized and scientific spinning working methods in his work. This work method set a new record that the spinning skin roll rate averaged only 0.25% for seven consecutive months, while the spinning skin roll rate of the best textile mill in the country at that time was about 1.5%, which greatly reduced the production cost.

Later, this spinning work method was named "Hao Jianxiu Work Method", which was vigorously promoted in the national textile industry. According to statistics, based on the price at that time, the promotion of this work method can increase the national production of cotton yarn by more than 40000 pieces every year, which is enough to buy 68 fighter planes, creating huge wealth for the country.

In 1951, Hao Jianxiu won the honorable title of "National Model Worker". He was first recommended to study in the Workers' and Peasants' Accelerated Middle School attached to Renmin University of China in Beijing, and was admitted to East China Textile Institute of Technology with excellent results.

In September 1954, the first session of the first National People's Congress was held in Beijing. Hao Jianxiu was honorably elected as a deputy to the first National People's Congress, the youngest of the deputies. She once recalled: "I was born in November 1935. In the year of general election, I was just old enough to participate in and be elected."

After full discussion, the Congress adopted the first constitution of New China. When deliberating the report on the draft constitution, Hao Jianxiu said that the basic rights and obligations of citizens stipulated in the draft constitution made women and young people receive cordial care from the state. At the same time, she paid close attention to women's rights and interests, and suggested that we should give full play to the enthusiasm and creativity of the working class, improve the political, cultural and technical level, and actively participate in labor competitions.

In order not to delay her homework, Hao Jianxiu asked the teacher to explain her homework before every meeting. Not only that, she also used the time after the meeting to find other representatives to ask questions and learn knowledge. At that time, many representatives who attended the meeting praised Hao Jianxiu as "an expert in production and a model in learning, and his quality, spirit and style of work are also impressive and impressive".

After graduating from East China Textile Engineering College, Hao Jianxiu returned to Qingdao Guomian No. 6 Factory as a technician, continued to work in the textile industry, and served as a deputy to the second and third National People's Congress for a second time. He took an important leading position in the country, demonstrating the strength of women in new China's industrialization.

The picture shows a recent photo of Hao Jianxiu. Photography/Qiang Yong

On the campus of Renmin University of China, there is a group of sculptures showing the reading scenes of teachers and students. The female students are modeled on Hao Jianxiu: beautiful, intelligent, simple, and idealistic. From being in the prime of life to being covered with silver, the face has faded after years of tempering. What remains unchanged is the spirit of perseverance, courage and innovation, which encourages generations of workers to continue to work hard for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

(Source: China National People's Congress Magazine, Issue 19, 2024)