Xie Yuanli, a railway technician who joined the Changchun Passenger Train Factory right after graduating from a local vocational school, in 1988, explains why he has stuck with it over the past 20 years, by saying simply, "We want to make China's high-speed railways run much faster and safer."

Since then, Xie has dedicated himself to his welding skills at his company, now known as the CNR Changchun Railway Vehicle Co, and has won the praise of a foreign colleague, a technical consultant.

Xie Yuanli welding in the shop. [Photo by Xu Chang/Xinhua]

He has also earned "National model worker" and "National advanced worker" awards.

Xie Yuanli checking the mechanical arm for welding. [Photo by Xu Chang/Xinhua]