Grassroots Official Excels as 'Village Housekeeper'

Li Shulan, an official from Jinpan, a village in southwest China's Chongqing, has greatly improved the life of residents in her village since she started working there 18 years ago.

Under Li's leadership, the annual assessment indicators of the village have all come out top in the county every year. In 2016, she led her team to win the title of Outstanding Party Branch of Fengdu County.

Li, 53 volunteered to be the secretary in 2000 of a newly-merged village formed from Majinzi, Tangba and Jinpan.

To be secretary of this large community with over 2,000 households was a challenge for Li, since she was previously only responsible for the affairs of Jinpan, which then had about 600 families.

Li tried her best to address conflicts between villagers. Three years later, as Jinpan became more integrated, she won people's trust and support and gained unanimous approval to maintain her position.

"These days, I must make sure my mobile phone is on 24 hours a day in case there is an emergency," Li said to a reporter.

Most young villagers choose to be instead of officials since the income is comparatively low, but the work is challenging.

Li called for four other women to join her after a family planning official retired in 2008. Thanks to her effort, Yu Weiqing, Jiang Lu, Hu Guifang, and Jiang Xiaoling began to work for the Party Branch and Village Committee.

"Although our village officials are all women, they are careful and enthusiastic, and they provide even better services," said a local, who calls the five women "Five Golden Flowers".

"Village officials are just like the housekeepers of the people, since they must be responsible for trivial matters," said Li, who vows to continue her work as long as people need her.

(Source: Chongqing Daily/Translated and edited by)