Chongqing - A press meeting held in Chongqing on July 3 spotlighted local recipients of the July 1 Medal and other national Party honors, showcasing how frontline workers, researchers and grassroots officials are contributing to China's modernization efforts.

Among them, three stories stood out: a veteran mediator who has spent decades resolving community disputes, a scientist working to strengthen China's edible oil security, and a skilled technician driving intelligent manufacturing.

Ma Shanxiang: turning decades of grassroots experience into a system for resolving conflicts

Ma Shanxiang, a retired official from Guanyinqiao Subdistrict and head of the “Lao Ma Studio,” received the July 1 Medal, the highest honor within the Communist Party of China. (Photo by Li Wenke / CQNEWS.NET)

Ma Shanxiang, a retired official from Guanyinqiao Subdistrict and head of the “Lao Ma Studio,” received the July 1 Medal, the highest honor within the Communist Party of China.

Over 33 years of grassroots work, Ma and his colleagues have helped mediate more than 2,500 disputes. Rather than treating every disagreement the same way, he developed a practical framework that classifies conflicts into four categories: simple, difficult, complex, and major. “Simple disputes require common sense, difficult ones require methods, complex ones require theory, and major ones require a systematic approach,” he said.

Beyond resolving disputes, Ma has devoted much of his career to mentoring younger community workers. Through the “Lao Ma Mentoring Xiao Ma” program, he has helped train nearly 78,000 grassroots workers, sharing practical approaches to mediation, public communication and community governance.

Although he is approaching the age of 70, Ma said he has no plans to slow down. “As long as people still need me, I will continue serving the community,” he said.

Huang Taocui: breeding better rapeseed for China's food security

Huang Taocui, an oilseed rape breeding scientist at the Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was named a National Outstanding Communist Party Member. (Photo by Li Wenke / CQNEWS.NET)

Huang Taocui, an oilseed rape breeding scientist at the Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was named a National Outstanding Communist Party Member.

For the past two decades, Huang has focused on one challenge: improving both the yield and oil content of rapeseed, China's largest oilseed crop. Her team developed the "Qingyou" series of high-oil rapeseed varieties, with oil content increasing from 49.96 percent in Qingyou 3 to 52.37 percent in the latest Qingyou 11.

These varieties have now been planted on more than 50 million mu (about 3.3 million hectares) of farmland, generating an estimated 15 billion yuan (about US$2.1 billion) in economic benefits while contributing to China's edible oil supply.

Huang said plant breeding requires a long-term commitment because every variety must adapt to changing climates, evolving diseases, and farmers' needs. Her team is now working on salt-tolerant rapeseed varieties that could one day make productive use of China's vast saline-alkali land.

"Scientific progress is a relay across generations," Huang said. "Some achievements may take decades before people can see the results."

Liu Yuan: keeping smart factories running

Liu Yuan, chief electromechanical maintenance technician at Changan Automobile, was also named a National Outstanding Communist Party Member. (Photo by Li Wenke / CQNEWS.NET)

Liu Yuan, chief electromechanical maintenance technician at Changan Automobile, was also named a National Outstanding Communist Party Member.

During nearly 40 years on the factory floor, Liu has developed a four-step troubleshooting method for automated production lines, led more than 130 technical improvement projects, secured three national patents, and helped train over 160 highly skilled technicians.

One recent example illustrates his approach. After an imported production component failed, Liu's team spent six months developing a domestic repair solution. The replacement reduced the repair cost from about 5,000 yuan to just 5 yuan while establishing a standardized maintenance process for future use.

Liu believes the future of intelligent manufacturing depends on highly skilled workers who can solve practical engineering problems. He has also helped develop training courses and advocated for stronger career pathways for technical workers, supporting China's manufacturing upgrade.

The press meeting also featured representatives from rural revitalization and community governance. Yu Xiaoping, Party secretary of Chaping Village in Wanzhou District, shared how her village has revitalized its economy through industrial development and e-commerce while strengthening grassroots public services. Wu Chengli, Party secretary of Minzhu Village Community in Jiulongpo District, described how community-led urban renewal, public participation, and digital governance have helped improve residents' quality of life. 

Together, the stories reflected Chongqing's efforts to encourage innovation, strengthen grassroots governance, and recognize individuals working on the front lines of the city's development.