Representing a 'retreat from the world' rewarding

The outsiders call my hometown in Metog county, the Tibet autonomous region, a retreat away from the world. As someone who grew up in the county surrounded by forest-covered mountains, I know what isolation means to the people who live there.

People used to say that reaching Tibet is not easy, but getting to Metog county is even more difficult because people had to walk on the dangerous mountain roads to get there.

Before a tunnel was excavated in the mountain and a new road was built in 2013, the county was completely cut off from the outside world for three months every winter because people couldn't get in or out.

I returned home and became a teacher at my school in 2001 after graduating from Hebei Normal University. I believe the children deserve good teachers and quality education wherever they are.

Due to isolation, the price of an egg had soared to 15 yuan ($2.4) in the winter of 2001. I was really worried about children not getting enough nutrition due to the food shortage. Now, such worry has become unnecessary because fresh food can be delivered to the school regularly and the school receives special funding to ensure its 160 students' nutritional intake.

When I was small, there was no electricity. Now, the county is connected to the power grid. Also, we have a 4G mobile communication network, which connects Metog to the outside world. My students can learn about anything happening in China and the world via mobile phones. It is something I dreamed about when I was a primary school student.

Because of the new road, tourism also boomed in Metog. To protect the environment from the garbage brought in by tourists, the county is building a garbage disposal center. Everyone now understands the importance of protecting Tibet's ecological system.

I am from the Monba ethnic group, which has its unique language. As a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress, I am a representative of both the Tibetan people and people from the Monba ethnic group.

Although the Monba is an ethnic group with a small population, I think it is very important and our duty is to preserve its language and culture. I encouraged the students in my school to dress in our traditional costumes from time to time and teach them the Monba language.

Q&A

How did you feel when you were elected to the NPC?

I know becoming an NPC deputy means I need to speak out for the people. I shouldn't only focus on issues for my county, but also issues concerning Tibetan people and the region's development.

What suggestions have you made?

As someone who was born and raised in one of China's border areas, I want to do more to improve infrastructure and people's living standards in border areas of Tibet. I will carry out more research on the issue and draft more quality suggestions.

How will you undertake your role in the next five years?

I want to do more to educate young people in Tibet about the importance of the rule of law.

Galsang Dekyi spoke with Cui Jia.