“My seven years of rural life in northern Shaanxi Province gave me something mysterious and sacred,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping during a 1995 interview. He started working in the countryside at the age of 15, an experience which shaped his personality and helped him become the man he is today.

　　一段经历往往会改变一个人的一生。出身于革命家庭的习近平，15岁的时候去陕北农村插队，也正是那一段经历给了他一种力量、一种勇气和一种生活信念。

　　My seven-year rural life in northern Shaanxi Province gave me something mysterious and sacred.

　　在陕北插队的七年，给我留下的东西几乎带有一种很神秘也很神圣的感觉。

　　Whenever I faced a challenge or a test or started a new job, I could somehow hear my fellow Shaanxi folks singing local songs on the farm.

　　每有一种挑战、一种考验，或者要去做一个新的工作的时候，我们脑海里翻腾的都是陕北高原上耕牛的父老兄弟的信天游。

 　　I think in my life, there are two kinds of people who have helped me the most.

　　我觉得在我一生中，对我帮助最大的是两种人。

　　The first were pioneers of revolutionary times, the others were my fellow Shaanxi villagers.

　　一种就是革命老前辈，一种就是我那陕北老乡。

　　I came to know that fundamental power rests with people. I gained a better understanding of ordinary people and society. This was the most fundamental influence.

　　看到了人民群众的力量，看到了人民群众的根本，真正理解了老百姓、了解了社会，这个是最根本的。

　　My idea of seeking truth from facts was formed then, and it has influenced me until now.

　　很多实事求是的想法都是从那个时候生根发芽的。以至于到现在，每时每刻影响着我。