Zhang Zhenlian, a welder at Sinopec Fourth Construction Co., Ltd in Binhai New Area, Tianjin, joined the company 25 years ago. He never imagined that he could receive a National Labor Medal at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and become a working model for all Chinese.

Zhang Zhenlian stands in front of a piece of chemical engineering equipment under construction. [Photo/enorth.com.cn]

Entering Zhang's office, a Welding Handbook is lying on his desk. Zhang could almost recite all the content in that book. He was not available to study in a library and the Internet was not as prevalent in the 1990s, so he could only rely on that handbook to learn more about welding skills. Whenever he met any problems, he would check the book.

Zhang welds a pipeline connection. [Photo/enorth.com.cn]

Besides learning theory, Zhang is persistent in practicing as well. His first mission was to weld a pipe rack in a device area of a refinery. To perfectly complete the job, he used the waste tube shoes to practice that specific weld. Diligence is the key to his success.

Zhang is eager to learn more welding knowledge and is constantly reading or studying. [Photo/enorth.com.cn]

Zhang has been to many places in China and cities in Singapore and Saudi Arabia to solve difficult technical problems. In the past twenty years, he has participated in the construction of more than 40 petrochemical plants at home and abroad.

Zhang's colleagues said Zhang possesses a craftsman’s spirit. [Photo/enorth.com.cn]

In 2009, he joined in the Saudi Kayan project. In the final stages, many "golden craters" were needed to conduct pressure tests. These craters are hard to weld and the positioning made it difficult to execute the task. Zhang was committed to do the job and the welds scored a 100 percent pass in the ultrasonic and radio examinations, dispelling suspicions from foreign companies and earning him the "welding god" title.