Mandela is more than a man but is a symbol for a kind of spirit, which bears practical meaning in the modern world, said an article in the 21st Century Business Herald (excerpts below):

Chinese people deeply care about 94-year-old Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital in South Africa since June 8 with a pulmonary infection.

Mandela ended racial apartheid in South Africa with his non-violent fight and accomplished a mission deemed impossible by many.

He is a symbol for his perseverance and spirit that transcend prisons and has moved a whole generation of young people. He never yielded to the status quo that seemed unchangeable for many. He firmly believed in the goodness of humanity and that the initiative of humans can bring about a better future for them. He fought injustice all his life.

Mandela's forgiveness and generosity led him out of violence. He did not fight the white men in his country for revenge. He understood that compromise based on justice and truth is the only way to reach reconciliation among different racial groups.

Mandela has not transformed his influence and success into personal political power as do many other politicians. He is one moral example in the circle of politics in the modern world.