Nomads embrace changes brought by education

Remote townships have been reaping the rewards of increased government funding and aid donated by China-based expats, including China Daily journalists, such as Erik Nilsson, a volunteer for a nonprofit organization called StepUp!, who reports from Yushu prefecture, Qinghai province.

Long ago, the nomads of Yege township in Qinghai province were noted for drinking and cutting each other with swords. But the aim was not to maim or kill. The reason was honor - the illiterate nomads settled their disputes with swords, not words.

Although the townspeople still regularly carry blades, the practice has been discontinued and the pen - or more accurately, the keyboard - is now mightier than the sword, according to Resang, the head of the township.