[Exemplary Deeds] Shandong Provincial Model Collective for Ethnic Unity and Progress: United Front Work Department of the CPC Linqing Municipal Committee
Editor's Note
In recent years, people of all ethnic groups have lived, studied, worked, and enjoyed life together in Shandong Province, forming a vibrant atmosphere of brotherhood and mutual assistance. A number of exemplary collectives and individuals have emerged throughout the province who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of ethnic unity and progress. To fully leverage the exemplary role of these advanced models and create a positive atmosphere of learning from and striving to become role models, the Shandong Ethnic and Religious Affairs WeChat Official Account has launched a special column, "Exemplary Deeds," aiming to learn from their stories, draw strength for progress, and jointly write a vivid chapter of "All Ethnic Groups of the Chinese Nation are One Family, Working Together to Build the Chinese Dream."
The Grand Canal, with its thousand-year-old charm, unites all trees to vie for spring.
How can we write a brilliant answer to the contemporary theme of "ethnic unity" on the banks of the Grand Canal? Linqing provides a vivid example through its vibrant practices of nurturing hearts with culture, empowering industries, and building dreams together. Here, the melody of ethnic unity resonates with the pulse of the ancient Grand Canal, composing a new chapter of progress in exchanges, interactions, and integration among all ethnic groups in the new era.
I. Culture Nourishes the Heart, Nurturing the "Pomegranate Flower" of National Unity
In the early morning in Linqing, the "Red Pomegranate" themed square was filled with joy. "Everyone is singing and dancing here. This tacit understanding and laughter is the most vivid language," said Xu Guangpeng, the United Front Work Committee member of Xianfeng Road Subdistrict. He added that the 13 "Red Pomegranate" squares in the city have become a haven of affection for people of all ethnic groups, moving them from "neighbors" to "close friends."
Five "National Unity" bus lines shuttle between urban and rural areas, becoming a moving scenic line. Bus driver Mr. Wang shared emotionally: "Seeing passengers being courteous to each other and chatting and laughing every day makes me believe that the value of this job goes far beyond just reaching the destination."
Using canal culture as a medium, a bridge for ethnic integration has been built. Sun Weihua, director of the Linqing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, introduced: "At the annual Drama and Food Culture Festival, people of all ethnic groups complete the exchange from the tip of their tongues to their hearts by tasting local flavors, enjoying songs and dances, and trying on costumes, and jointly weave a warm memory of 'all Chinese nations are one family'."
II. Empowering Industries to Create a Symphony of Progress for Common Prosperity
In the workshop of Sanhe Group, the world's largest wax printing cloth production base, the roar of machines and the busy work of employees from all ethnic groups intertwine to form a concerto of development.
Warmth is readily available here. In 2024, when employee Lao He's wife suddenly developed uremia, the company quickly provided 50,000 yuan in life-saving funds, and his coworkers spontaneously donated more than 60,000 yuan, successfully saving a precious life.
"All 127 employees facing difficulties in the company have felt this warmth," said Xu Zhaojun, Party Secretary of the Group. The Group has cumulatively created more than 100,000 jobs, paid more than 100 million yuan in taxes annually for 18 consecutive years, and invested more than 60 million yuan in assistance funds, benefiting 28,000 people.
The sense of responsibility shown by large enterprises is heartwarming, and the seeds of common prosperity are also taking root and sprouting in the fertile soil of the countryside. Shangdian, a key town for ethnic minority work, has invested over 14 million yuan to build a green industrial structure integrating livestock, seedlings, and mushrooms. Through the "enterprise + cooperative + farmer" model, the town has mobilized over 40 cooperatives and family farms, and more than 1,000 farmers to integrate into the industrial chain, achieving stable income growth right at their doorsteps.
III. Working Together to Build Dreams and Write a New Chapter of Ethnic Unity
In Linqing, 40 provincial-level or above models of ethnic unity and progress have emerged, serving as beacons illuminating the path forward for the cause of ethnic unity and progress.
Industrial cooperation closely links Linqing with the border regions. Linqing enterprises purchase 100,000 tons of Xinjiang cotton and send 60,000 high-quality breeding sheep as "grassland ambassadors" to Inner Mongolia and other places every year, building bridges of common prosperity.
At the grassroots level, the "Red Pomegranate" neighborhood council system has yielded remarkable results. "Through the council, we have resolved 28 livelihood issues this year, including parking difficulties and environmental improvement," Zhu Liang, secretary of the Party Working Committee of Xinhua Road Subdistrict, summarized. "The process of deliberation is a process of enhancing understanding and building consensus."
With its thousand-year-old charm, the Grand Canal unites all things to flourish in spring. Today, Linqing is forging the deep affection of "all ethnic groups embracing each other like pomegranate seeds" into the warmest foundation of the city, shining even more brilliantly on the new era and new journey.
Source: Ethnic Affairs Division 1, United Front Work Department of Liaocheng Municipal Committee
(Shandong Ethnic and Religious Affairs Subscription Account)
