Han Suyun, the wife of a People's Liberation Army patrolman, solely supported their family of nine for 16 years while her husband served on China's southern border in Guangxi Province. Her devotion to her family and country earned her the title of "Good Wife of an Army Man."

Han Suyun.[File photo]

Literally, her name means "strong, virtuous and hard working" – ideal virtues for the wife of an army man. Born in 1961, Han got engaged to Ni Xiaowu, an army man serving on the southern border of China, when she was 23 years old. In order to allow fiancé keep his mind on the country's defense work, Han went to Ni's hometown before their marriage and started to support eight of his family members, including his elderly and sick grandmother and parents, a near-blind younger brother; two young twin sisters still in school; a weak elder sister-in-law and an elder brother, who worked as a laborer.

Han suffered from years of hard work. She was stricken with Avascular Necrosis in 1989. However, she never revealed her illness to her husband and told him not to worry about his family members and to work hard in the army. With Han's support and encouragement, Ni received awards and commendations from his superiors over a dozen times throughout his career.

Han's dedication to supporting her family moved the whole nation. However, such recognition came from enduring many years of hardship and struggle.

Due to the government's and friend's concern for her well-being, Han, accompanied by her husband, received free treatment for her condition at the No.1 Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in 1994. Fortunately, her illness was cured. To express her gratitude for the treatment, Han travels to Guangzhou once every year to visit Doctor Yuan Hao, who gave her the operation, and his wife.

In 1995 Han joined the Communist Party of China and in 1997, she was appointed to work at the Finance Bureau of Nanning City in Guangxi Province. As a public servant, she has always been working very hard and never makes any mistakes. In order to improve herself, she also obtained a bachelor's degree through self-study.

Han has also played the role of Good Samaritan, helping 11 friends find wives and finding jobs for eight previously unemployed military wives. She has also called on people to donate money to help children from poor families go back to school and complete their education.

After she became famous, Han has refused invitations to be an advertising spokesperson from various enterprises.

"The title of 'Good Wife of an Army Man' was given to me by the country and the Chinese people. I will not use it to make a profit for myself," Han said firmly.