“RED ribbons,” reminding taxi drivers to treat passengers with good manners and kindness, are being used as a symbol on all of the city’s taxis.

    The ribbons also reflect the contribution to society the drivers make. Qingdao’s taxi drivers have won much praise for their caring attitude.

    In 2006, several taxi drivers were recognized for returning money and valuables to passengers who had left them behind. For example, a driver Mo Libin returned cash and jewels worth more than 6 million yuan to a businessman from Guangdong Province, while another driver Xu Xuelin gave back 100,000 yuan he found in his taxi to the owner who needed the money to save his sick relative. Many taxi drivers paid their respects by tying red ribbons to their taxis.

    Today, under the guidance of the city’s transportation departments, the red ribbons have been tied to taxis, private cars, buses and trucks, aiming at promoting civility and generosity.

    Mu Chunhua, leader of the Red Ribbon Team from Yihua taxi company, found an 80-year-old man lying on the road with blood all over his face Oct. 7 and immediately took him to hospital. Sun Pifeng, a taxi driver from Haibo taxi company, has carried a sick old man to hospital for treatment once a week voluntarily since March.

    The city government now gives out annual awards to Star Taxi Drivers and Red Ribbon Teams to encourage the industry to carry on the spirit.

    Since 2010, drivers on all modes of transportation are encouraged to have the same attitude.

    (Wang Yuanyuan, Li Xiaohan)

    QD citizens tie up ‘red ribbon’

    ON Nov. 26, China Central Television reported the story of Qingdao taxi drivers who returned cash and valuables left in the cabs and spent time helping the needy.

    The “Focus Interview” program lauded the “red ribbon” spirit that inspired Qingdao’s taxi drivers.

    Li Qun, Party chief of the city, was so moved after watching the program and wrote a letter to the drivers, thanking them for their virtues and encouraging the city to learn from them.

    Li said in his letter that he hoped “every Qingdao resident could tie up a red ribbon in his or her heart, doing more good deeds to others and making the city a happier home to live.”

    Where is the “red ribbon” in our heart? It is in every detail of our life and we can change society for the better.

    The story is proof that helping others can make one feel happy.

    (Wang Yuanyuan, Qing Bao)