Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Laolongtou - or Old Dragon's Head - at Shanhaiguan Pass in Qinhuangdao is the eastern terminus of the Great Wall. Photos Provided to China Daily

In February, an aged man from Zanhuang county took his granddaughter to the provincial capital Shijiazhuang to seek medical treatment for her stomach ailment.

But because they had little money, the two had to wait and sleep in a hospital corridor for nights.

Their dilemma was later covered by a micro blog user called "Things of Shijiazhuang". Along with a picture, the poster called for help and soon attracted comments from hundreds of others in a few hours.

On the afternoon of Feb 26, the girl received donations and was sent to the city's central hospital for treatment.

"Things of Shijiazhuang" is one of millions of warm-hearted people in Hebei province, but as the economy grows, the provincial government began to notice an absence of ethics and honesty "in some areas", which "do harm to the healthy development of the economy and social harmony".

In response, it began a series of programs designed to restore traditional moral principles and encourage people to do good deeds.

The programs focus on "even the smallest matters" in people's social activities, at home and at work, asking them to be honest, polite and willing to help. It is the local government's latest effort to promote decency, said Ai Wenli, publicity chief of Hebei province.

"If we find the right focus, we can expect good effects very soon," said Bai Shi, the deputy publicity chief, noting several examples that have already happened:

A young couple in Qinhuangdao city, both handicapped, planned to marry, but could not afford even a modest wedding ceremony.

On hearing the news, many citizens, as well as the local association for handicapped people, volunteered to offer the wedding dress, cars and video recording of the event.

A woman in Hengshui city suffered massive hemorrhage when giving birth and could not be given enough blood due to her rare blood type. But within only three hours after information was released, four people arrived at the blood bank to donate the needed type. The woman and baby survived in good health.

A flower grower from Wuan city named Wang Yanheng found a wallet on the evening of March 14 in Beijing that held an ID card, bank cards and cash. He walked 5 kilometers the next day to find the wallet's owner, a student of Peking University.

In February, a Shijiazhuang policewoman Feng Zhihong and her colleagues traveled 8,000 km for 13 days to bring an abducted girl back to her hometown in Yunnan province.

With the help of local police, the officers also arrested two suspects in the abduction.

The provincial government is using websites and micro blogs to promote good deeds and planning a fund to encourage volunteer activities.

In just one district of Zhangjiakou city, nearly 30,000 volunteers signed up.

(China Daily 05/30/2012 page10)