The stories that provided the highlights of 2015

(China Daily) Updated: 2016-01-05 07:58

Zhang Yi: Millions lifted out of poverty across China

Best story: The story of Sonam Dundron, a farmer in Shannan prefecture in the Tibet autonomous region and a former slave under the serfdom system in place in the 1950s, is the most touching one I wrote last year. Before I heard his story about being forced into slavery when he was a child, I did not fully comprehend how democratic reforms transformed the lives of the masses in Tibet. Dundron's memory of his last day as a slave and his new expectations for a more promising future gave readers a vivid picture of the changes in the past half-century in Tibet.

Best interview: For me, it was the interview with Sonam Dundron at the village's community center in October. I visited the village from Lhasa, the capital of the autonomous region, after a five-hour car ride. The last part of the trip was quite exhausting because the roads were bumpy. Before the interview, I was given a tour of Dundron's house. Its beautiful Tibetan traditional decoration and modern home appliances were quite impressive. I needed a translator to talk with Dundron. I could feel his enthusiasm. Every question got a positive answer. He was happy to share his satisfaction about his current life.

Most unforgettable reporting experience:

Before talking to dozens of farmers in poverty-stricken areas in Jiangxi province, as well as in places unfit for human habilitation in Guizhou province, I hadn't really understood the extent to which the government at all levels had helped people out poverty and led them to a better life. More than 600 million Chinese have been lifted out of poverty in the past three decades. As the largest contributor to global poverty reduction, China has set an example for the world with its achievements.

Best quote in my stories: "Villagers could barely read or write at that time. A bowl was put behind every candidate, and each villager was given a pea. Villagers put the pea into the bowl for the candidate they supported."

Nyima Tsering - a farmer in Kesong village, Shannan prefecture, Tibet, who was a slave in the 1950s - talking about how villagers elected the head of the farmers' association in 1959.He got about 390 peas and was elected the association's head.