CPC volunteers find different ways to shape China's grassroots future

At the age of 21, Li Tinghui visited the Xizang autonomous region for the first time. The moment he stepped off the train, the plateau left an impression that never faded.

"I just knew I would come back here to work one day," he recalled.

That thought soon became reality. Now 30, Li has spent seven years in Nagchu, a city known for its vast landscapes and for being one of the highest-altitude urban areas in China. Life here is defined by just two seasons: a brief summer when down jackets are still necessary, and a long, harsh winter.

Li is from Hebei province. In 2019, he joined the "Go West" program, a volunteer initiative that sends university graduates to China's less developed western regions. When his service period ended, he chose to stay.

Life at more than 4,500 meters above sea level is never easy. Vegetation is scarce, and heating in some areas still relies on burning yak dung.

The thin air has taken a toll on Li's health, causing chronic altitude sickness and an enlarged heart. Yet he has never considered leaving.

"In university, I felt like I was living in an ivory tower," he said. "Only here did I feel grounded and truly connected to people."

Over the years, Li has worked on urban planning, public services, ecological restoration and other grassroots tasks. With his colleagues, he has helped replace pit latrines with flush toilets and contributed to greening projects by planting rapeseed flowers and pine trees across the city.

He has also helped organize community skills competitions covering 29 categories, from handicrafts to technical repair work. Winning entries have been showcased at national exhibitions, and some participants — with local government support — have gone on to start their own businesses and increase their incomes.

"I hope that in my day-to-day work, I can do each small task well so that local people truly benefit," Li said.

Beyond his official duties, he has long been active in public welfare, raising donations for school supplies, sanitary products for girls and warm clothing for families in need.

His efforts have also extended to disaster relief. After a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri county in 2025, he rushed to the site with supplies, helping set up tents and prepare meals amid aftershocks and damaged homes.