What they say

Editor's note: Five newly awarded national model workers and outstanding workers for this year were invited by the State Council Information Office to share their experiences and stories about their work.

Over 40 of the world's top 100 bridges have used the steel cables we produced. I still remember when the Baling River Bridge was successfully installed in Guizhou in 2007, my colleagues and I were invited to visit the bridge, which was recognized as Asia's highest at the time. I was excited and proud that the steel cables used in the bridge were made by us.

Zhou Jiarong, a senior technician at Guizhou Steel Rope Co

I've been dedicated to poverty alleviation work for over nine years. I was disheartened by the tough living conditions in the village at the very beginning because I had never lived in rural areas before. However, my mother told me that I should try to improve the lives of the villagers to help them shake off poverty. She said that I'd have no regrets when I finished my work in the countryside.

Liu Shuangyan, an official at the Bozhou Taxation Bureau, Anhui province. She has volunteered as an anti-poverty official in a village for nine years.

My father used to be an oil worker, and my husband and I are the second generation working at Daqing Oil Field. We admire our predecessors' spirit of hard work, but we both feel guilty that we can't spend as much time as we'd like with our daughter because of work. I once told my daughter that I hope to become the mother she is proud of. I also hope she grows up to be the one who I am proud of.

Liu Li, a senior technician at Daqing Oil Field Co, Heilongjiang province

My father was the person who inspired me in my youth. Though he was just an ordinary teacher, he stayed in rural areas for 38 years to help children there, giving up several opportunities to work in cities. He taught me to be down-to-earth and love my work. His words always guide me.

Pan Congming, a senior technician at Jinchuan Copper Co, Gansu province

As a native of Wuhan, I'm still touched when I recall my experience at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. We worked 24/7 to ensure there were no power outages during that time. My colleagues and I worked three days and nights to power the Leishenshan Hospital, five days and nights for the Huoshenshan Hospital and 37 hours for the largest makeshift hospital in Wuhan at the time. We safeguarded light and also hope for the people.

Hu Hongwei, a senior technician at Hubei Electric Power Company of the State Grid Corporation