On April 30, 2024, the Party Committee of the Business School of China University of Political Science and Law, Committee for the Care of the Next Generation and the 18th branch of the Retired Cadre Party Committee sponsored by the Understanding of China "Education Power, Struggle to have me" education and talent Education theme Party Day activity - Mr. Xia Boyu Interview was successfully held in Room 0112, Library Complex Building, Haidian Campus, China University of Political Science and Law. Li Xinyu, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Business School, Han Bojun, Director of the Retirement Department, Wu Xiaohong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the school of Information Management for law, He Xin, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the Business School and other leaders attended the interview. Veteran comrades from the retirement department and student representatives from many schools and departments of the business school participated in the activity to witness and feel the power of example, and realize the exchange of ideas and value inheritance between the young and old generations.
Host Wang Yanyi teacher delivered the opening speech, to introduce today's interview guest Mr. Xia Boyu, in the case of amputation of lower limbs due to severe frostbite, did not give up the dream of climbing Mount Everest, with a tenacious determination to use prosthetics for climbing rehabilitation training, finally in 2018 at the age of 69, to achieve the dream of climbing Mount Everest, becoming the first person without legs. Teacher Wang stressed that this activity is not only a profound ideological and political education lesson, but also an important measure to implement the spirit of the central government and implement the outline of education and power planning.
Afterwards, Li Xinyu, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Business School and director of the Committee for the Wellbeing of the Next Generation, delivered a speech. He reviewed the deeds and honors of the summer old, on behalf of the business School Party Committee for the support of the leadership of the school's Committee for the Wellbeing of the Next Generation and the retired 18th Party branch of the old comrades for the careful organization of this event. Secretary Li mentioned that the retired 18th Party Branch focused on casting souls and educating people, and carried out joint construction activities for young and old with a number of student party branches, including business schools, for five consecutive years, which has become a characteristic brand work of the school. He looks forward to continuing to work closely with retired comrades in the future to carry out more beneficial activities and contribute more to the healthy growth and ability training of young students.
Before the interview officially began, the scene played an introduction video about Mr. Xia Boyu. The video details his struggles with an accidental amputation as a young man, his four unsuccessful attempts to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the thrill of finally achieving his dream of reaching the summit for the fifth time. After the video was played, the audience expressed their deep respect to Xia Lao with warm applause and warmly welcomed him to the stage to accept the interview.
Zhang Guodong, secretary of the Party Branch of the 22-level academic Master of Business School, served as the moderator of this interview. In the exchange, he asked Xia Lao several questions that the students are generally concerned about: First, how Xia old got involved in mountaineering and the experience of climbing Mount Everest for the first time; Second, why did he want to climb again after his amputation? In addition, the reason why the second, third and fourth attempts to climb Mount Everest failed; Fourth, the psychological feeling after the fifth successful summit; Fifth, the specific situation of Xia Lao's participation in public welfare environmental protection undertakings; Sixth, a message to young people; Seventh, how to balance the increasing media attention and personal career after winning the Laureus Sports Award; Finally, whether Mr. Xia plans to carry out the next stage of climbing challenges.
Mr. Xia Boyu responded in detail to the questions raised by the host Zhang Guodong in the interview. Summer old mentioned that he was a football player, the chance to be selected into the national mountaineering team. In order to complete the national task, he climbed Everest for the first time in 1975, but was stranded for two days and three nights at a height of 8,600 meters due to extreme weather, exhausted all supplies and lost contact with the base camp, and finally had to retreat. During the retreat, he suffered severe frostbite from giving out a sleeping bag to his teammates, resulting in both lower legs being amputated. Then, a suggestion from a German prosthetics expert gave him renewed hope of climbing the mountain. Despite the challenges posed by his prosthetic legs, Xia's physical strength, cold tolerance and love of mountaineering made him decide to take on Everest again. However, wearing prosthetics for a long time to train led to the deterioration of the wound into cancer, but this did not stop his enthusiasm for climbing. By climbing Mount Gyaji Kang and Muztagh Peak, he not only regained the feeling of mountaineering, but also improved his prosthetic legs to make them more suitable for mountaineering activities. Xia's climbing experience is full of twists and turns, the 2014 to 2015 climb failed due to natural disasters, in 2016 when the challenge again only 94 meters from the summit encountered a snowstorm, had to choose to retreat. After a long period of prosthetic adaptation and physical training, he set out again in 2018, in order to grasp the best window for the summit, ventured out in extreme weather, and finally successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, realizing the dream of forty-three years. When he reached the summit, his heart was filled with gratitude for his family's support over the years. Xia also actively participates in environmental public welfare, as the image ambassador of the Beautiful Travel organization, leads volunteers to clean up mountaineering garbage and promote environmental awareness. He also regularly takes students to experience mountaineering, emphasizing the importance of good health and encouraging young people to keep pursuing their dreams and not give up even in the face of difficulties. As for the increasing media attention, Mr. Xia admitted that he never expected to receive so much attention, and that if he can inspire others through his story, all the efforts are worth it. In the future, he plans to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents and explore the North and South Poles, and continue to pursue his passion for mountaineering.
After the interview, we entered the interactive session. The students actively asked questions and had an in-depth exchange with Mr. Xia Boyu. The students' questions focused on three areas: how to overcome fear and withdrawal during the climb, preparation before the climb, and how to face the expectations of their families when it is uncertain whether they will succeed or fail in pursuing their dreams. In this regard, summer old shared his own views and suggestions: First, the most important thing to do anything is love. As long as you are passionate about it, you can overcome all difficulties. With my deep love for mountaineering, I never gave up no matter what challenges and blows I faced.Second, about the preparation before climbing the mountain, Xia Lao suggested that students should first focus on their studies and consider mountaineering as a way to temper their will. He mentioned that before climbing, it is necessary to have a detailed understanding of the environmental conditions of the destination, the best climbing window period, and make adequate psychological and material preparations to cope with possible dangers. In addition, daily basic training is also very important, including strength training, it is recommended that students join the school mountaineering team, through the scientific guidance of the coach to improve physical fitness and high altitude adaptability; Third, when it comes to the support of his family, summer old said he was very lucky, and his wife gave him great tolerance and support for his dream. He stressed that he would do his best to ensure his own safety before each departure to allay his family's concerns. Xia Lao's experience and advice inspired every student present, so that the audience learned from the persistence and courage to face challenges and pursue dreams.
At the end of the interview, Han Bojun, Director of the Retirement Department, made a wonderful summary speech for the event. Director Han talked about three experiences around this interview: First, everyone should have a firm belief; Second, everyone should have good habits; Third, everyone should be brave enough to face setbacks. Director Han once again thanked Mr. Xia for the wonderful report and interview, and praised the efforts and enthusiasm of all the departments, teachers and students who participated in and supported the activity. Finally Mr. Xia was presented with a picture book published by retired old comrades in the centenary of the founding of the Party. There is no mountain higher than man, no road longer than feet. There is a spirit called "Xia Boyu", and Xia's persistent pursuit of dreams makes every retired old comrade and young students deeply shocked. Host Wang Yanyi teacher concluded, old comrades to summer old learning, retirement does not fade, adhere to the faith unwavering; Young students learn from Mr. Xia bravely choose the historical mission, temper the courage and strength to overcome difficulties, and do the relay of the new era. The interview ended successfully in an inspiring and moving atmosphere.
