CCTV May Day Gala Recreates Zhang Xue's Iconic Dream-Chasing Moments

May Day Gala Honors Dream Chasers as Jiang Wu Portrays Zhang Xue's Legend

At 8 PM on May 1, the special program "Chinese Dream · Beauty of Labor — 2026 May Day International Workers' Day 'Heart to Heart' Special" was simultaneously broadcast on CCTV-1 Comprehensive Channel, CCTV-3 Variety Channel, and CCTV-15 Music Channel. Among the performances, a micro-story segment titled "Chase Your Dreams," based on Zhang Xue Locomotive founder Zhang Xue, drew widespread attention, with acclaimed actor Jiang Wu delivering a heartfelt portrayal of Zhang Xue himself.

From Motorcycle Repair Apprentice to World Champion: A Story of Triumph

The story of Zhang Xue, founder of Zhang Xue Locomotive, is a textbook example of chasing one's dreams. Fueled by his passion for motorcycles, Zhang Xue started as a repair apprentice at the age of 14. He went on to pursue a career as a professional motorcycle racer, subsequently founding the Kaiyue Motorcycle and Zhang Xue Locomotive brands, and ultimately built a motorcycle that clinched a world championship title.

In 2006, at just 19 years old, Zhang Xue showcased his motorcycle skills to a reporter from Hunan TV's "Evening" program in a bid to catch the attention of racing teams. It was then that he shouted the now widely known slogan: "If you have a dream, chase it — because with courage, my life becomes more extraordinary." That footage has since become an iconic memory of bravery and dreams for an entire generation.

A Clever 'Time Travel' Segment Recreates Iconic Scenes

According to clips released by CCTV News, "Chase Your Dreams" recreated on stage the emotional moment when Zhang Xue witnessed a rider winning the championship. The production team ingeniously designed a "time travel" sequence in which Jiang Wu, as Zhang Xue, was transported back to a moment from an early documentary, joining his younger self in shouting that signature slogan: "If you have a dream, chase it — because with courage, my life becomes more extraordinary."

This artistic expression transcending time condensed Zhang Xue's journey from a teenage apprentice to an industry leader onto the stage, deeply moving countless viewers.

The Timeless Echo of the Worker's Spirit

What makes Zhang Xue's story so inspiring is his decades-long perseverance in intertwining his personal dream with the rise of Chinese manufacturing. From an ordinary motorcycle repair apprentice to the creator of a homegrown motorcycle brand competing on the world stage, Zhang Xue's journey epitomizes the fighting spirit of countless Chinese workers. His appearance on the May Day Gala stage has shown even more people a real-life embodiment of the "Chinese Dream · Beauty of Labor."