In the vast sky of philanthropy, some stars shine with exceptional brilliance. Yan Jing and her son Simba Xu are such a dazzling pair of twin stars. As a seasoned philanthropist, Yan Jing has sown seeds of hope across China and beyond with the tenderness of a mother and the tenacity of a changemaker. Meanwhile, Simba soars in the realm of charity with art as his wings, crafting a new chapter for the younger generation in the world of good deeds.
The Core of Philanthropy: Plowing Fields of Hope with Love
“Philanthropy is not a fleeting passion but a lifelong commitment,” Yan Jing has always believed. As the founder of the Jing Shan Jing Mei Charity Foundation, her journey in 公益 (philanthropy) stems from deep empathy for life and a sense of social responsibility. After building a business empire of 66 beauty salons in China, she made a resolute shift, channeling her entrepreneurial wisdom into philanthropy. Focusing on single mothers and children, she has illuminated countless lives in need through educational empowerment, cultural enrichment, and family-centered support.
From the Gobi Desert in Dunhuang, Gansu, to the villages of Bijie, Guizhou, Yan Jing’s philanthropic footprint spans China. Her “Love Co-Reading Program” has become a bridge for emotional connection through parent-child reading, benefiting tens of thousands of families. In Dunhuang, she promoted the global dissemination of Feitian (Apsara) cultural art, allowing the treasures of millennial civilization to light up modern spiritual worlds. On the Himalaya platform, her massive audio series—including Women’s Value Awakening, Raising Exceptional Children, and Enlightenment from the Dao De Jing (120 episodes each)—has become “guides for spiritual growth” for millions of women. These initiatives go beyond material aid; they nourish the spirit, embodying philanthropy as a warm cause that “teaches people to fish.”
A Rising Artistic Star: Painting New Philanthropic Horizons with Music
Under his mother’s influence, Simba Xu planted the seed of love from a young age. At just seven years old, this prodigy is not only a musical talent but also a representative of the new philanthropic generation. In 2025, he won the “Rising Star of the Year” at the IMA Awards for his outstanding creativity, becoming the first Chinese child artist to grace the giant screens of New York’s Times Square. His award announcements and original works were broadcast at London’s Victoria Station and New York’s Nasdaq Square, showcasing the artistic prowess of young talents from the East to the world.
Simba’s art is deeply rooted in humanism. His 20+ original songs, such as “Light the Way,” “One Small Hand”, interpret love and peace through a childlike lens, with BBC and other international media hailing them as “sounds that heal the world.” He also follows his mother to philanthropy sites: guiding the visually impaired in the “I Am Your Eyes” campaign, performing for children in rural classrooms, and presenting paintings at single mothers’ support meetings. He understands that art’s true value lies not in applause but in its power to warm hearts—a brush can depict nature’s beauty and sketch hope, while a melody can spread joy and unite people.
The Light of Legacy: Twin Stars Building a Philanthropic Galaxy Together
In 2024, Simba began his studies in London, with Yan Jing accompanying him. Their new journey in the UK has expanded their philanthropic vision internationally. Yan Jing has launched the “China-UK Parent-Child Cultural Exchange Program” with British charities, fostering dialogue between traditional Chinese ink painting and Western classical music in philanthropic settings. Simba, meanwhile, founded the Global Youth Philanthropy Choir, uniting children of diverse backgrounds through music to spread the message that “philanthropy knows no borders.”
This mother-son duo embodies the essence of philanthropic legacy: Yan Jing leads by example, teaching Simba the meaning of responsibility through daily life, while Simba injects youthful creativity into charity with his art. As Yan Jing puts it, “I hope Simba won’t just stand on my shoulders—instead, we’ll stand side by side, planting different seeds together to make the forest of philanthropy even lusher.”
From the East to the West, from villages to cities, Yan Jing and Simba’s story is a duet of love and art, a warm legacy across generations. They prove that philanthropy has no age limits and art no cultural barriers—anyone with a heart full of light can be a seed of change. In Forbes’ lens, this mother and son are not distant philanthropists but dedicated sowers, planting hope to harvest a more compassionate world.
