Chen Yunying, wife of former vice-president of the World Bank Lin Yifu, is well known to people from the mainland of China.
It was touching that three decades ago, when the economic conditions in the U.S., Taiwan, and the mainland of China differed a lot, she chose to return back from abroad, saying "I'm needed, I can make things better there!"
She said she is deeply proud to be a Chinese and witness the development, changes, and progress of China in reform and opening up over the past 30 years.
She served as a member of the Taiwan delegation to the National People's Congress (NPC) for four consecutive terms, and she performed her duties seriously, caring about people on both sides, especially for the people from Taiwan.
"Making My Country Better"
Chen went to study in the U.S. after a reunion with her husband and returned to the mainland in 1987.
She said, "In fact, if people have a spiritual pursuit, material things are not as important. Pursuing dreams is more important than how much we eat and use."
Since then, Chen's contributions in special education in China have been widely acknowledged. She is therefore known as "the predecessor in Chinese special education."
After 1987, Chen felt honored that China has become more effective in protecting the life and property security for the people, which is the basic and important duty of a state. She believes that the country wants to steadily improve its people's lives, and has done so.
Helping Taiwan Compatriots
For three decades, Chen worked and lived on the mainland. She contributed her own strength to development, change and progress.
Chen attended the 13th NPC with two proposals. The first proposal is about implementing a youth development project that encouraged cross-strait groups to cooperate while the second is on ensuring people from Taiwan will enjoy the same treatment as local people when they pursue their studies, start businesses, seek jobs or live on the Chinese mainland.
Knowledge, Wisdom for Everyone
Speaking about the future, Chen, who is a professional and has committed herself to education in China, hopes to realize her desire to "endow people with wisdom." The country is thriving, and people's living conditions will be upgraded. "I am confident that we will be able to achieve it," she said.
"We aim to see that every compatriot possesses knowledge and wisdom. This is what drives us forward!" she said.