Sapling forest symbol of harmony, ethnic legacy

Ma Wenjun, 41, born in Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, has learned firsthand the value of ethnic unity and giving back to those who literally gave him a helping hand.

Encouraged by older family members, he came to Nedong district in Shannan, Xizang autonomous region, in 2001 to make a living.

One cold winter night, he fell from his motorcycle while collecting sheepskins and injured his leg, leaving him stuck in the snow.

Lobu Qunpei, a passing villager in his 40s, immediately came to his aid. He carried Ma home on his back, gave him a pair of newly purchased trousers to wear, made him a bowl of noodles with several eggs, and took care of him throughout the night.

Ma was deeply moved when he recalled the experience.

"My father used to say that when living in an ethnic minority area, we should do more to promote and safeguard ethnic unity. But when I was young, I didn't truly understand why. I saw it more as a tactic," he said.

"But after years of living in Shannan, I gradually came to understand its essence: it is unity and harmony that bring fortune and happiness, not the opposite. Just be sincere and kind. It's as simple as that."

Ma spotted a business opportunity in the nursery industry created by the promotion of shelterbelt, or natural windbreaks, projects along the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

In 2023, he was elected president of the district chamber of commerce for entrepreneurs from Gansu and Qinghai provinces.

As of September 2026, his Ruixin Company had achieved cumulative turnover of 500 million yuan ($79.6 million), paid 60 million yuan in wages, and provided employment for more than 60,000 local farmers and herders.

However, inspired by that winter night he received help and by his father's words, Ma felt compelled to do more.

His company began actively engaging in public welfare initiatives. From 2023 to 2025, he invested nearly 4 million yuan to transform a stretch of barren, abandoned land into 500 mu (33 hectares) of sapling forest.

During the recent mudslide disaster in Gyirong Port, Xizang, Ma organized member companies of the chamber of commerce, along with entrepreneurs from Gansu and Qinghai, to donate 106,900 yuan.

"I'm most proud that I have brought more and more fellow Hui people into this effort. I want to make a change, because openness brings progress," Ma said.

"Inspired by Lobu Qunpei and my family tradition, I have the urge to help others. People around me didn't understand at first, but I just kept doing it and encouraging them.

"When they experienced genuine kindness, all their doubts disappeared."

While the sapling forest project cost nearly 4 million yuan, Ma said it was completely worthwhile.

Tsewang Odrub, a 31-year-old from Xizang and an employee of Ma's company, volunteers to care for the saplings. "It's very meaningful. I want to see the greenery spread," he said.

Ma said: "Identity is so important. I hope that when I return to my hometown some day, people here will remember that a fellow Hui person planted these trees."

"Ethnic unity is not a political slogan. It's about doing small good deeds, regardless of our different ethnicities."

The sapling project involved the participation of people from seven different ethnic groups, he added.