Gong Xuefeng, a driver transporting natural gas at Hohhot Shijie Gas Co, Ltd in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has been working in the sector for 12 years with a record of zero accidents.

Gong has shown a keen interest in automobiles since early age. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the military, where, alongside rigorous training, he diligently studied vehicle structures and honed his driving skills, becoming a standout performer eventually.

In 2012, Gong transitioned from military service to civilian employment. Working together with more than 30 colleagues, he is responsible for natural gas transport in the cities of Hohhot, Ulanqab, and Bayannur of Inner Mongolia.

With over 20,000 completed trips and total mileage exceeding one million kilometers, he has truly exemplified craftsmanship in his ordinary yet crucial role.

Gong Xuefeng, a driver transporting natural gas at Hohhot Shijie Gas Co Ltd in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, conducts a routine check-up for the tanker truck he operates. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Gong is fully aware of the critical nature of hazardous goods transport, where even the smallest oversight could lead to unforeseeable consequences. He said that compared to regular cargo transportation, transporting hazardous goods demands higher levels of driving skill, patience, and attention to detail, with each transport mission serving as a rigorous test for drivers, especially during long-haul journeys.

The work is not just a profession but also bears significant social responsibility, as "my tanker truck directly impacts public supply," he said.

In a winter when continuous snowfall led to icy roads in Inner Mongolia, Gong volunteered to undertake transportation to ensure heating and gas supply for Ulanqab, braving severe cold and risks. He traversed over 150 kilometers through treacherous conditions for over 10 hours, ensuring the safe delivering of natural gas to local households.

In 2022, he was awarded the honorary title of National Model Worker.

In 2023, Gong was elected as a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC). Drawing from his years of experience in natural gas transport, he focuses particularly on national energy development and utilization.

Through grassroots surveys and exchanges with industry professionals, he learned that amid China's rapid socioeconomic development, natural gas external dependence stands at over 40 percent, which poses grave challenges for the development of the industry.

File photo: Gong Xuefeng, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), poses for a photo in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing when he participates in the first session of the 14th NPC in March 2023. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

At this year's NPC session in March, Gong submitted a series of suggestions, including deepening reforms in the oil and gas exploration and extraction system, piloting a new energy transmission pipeline network system, and establishing demonstration zones for comprehensive utilization of natural gas and clean energy, all aimed at supporting the high-quality development of the energy sector.

Carrying a notebook wherever he goes, Gong fills it with suggestions and opinions from the grassroots level. Understanding public concerns is essential for proposing truly effective suggestions, he said.

Once at a service area on the highway, a driver told him that the facilities of the "drivers' home" in the service areas were inadequate for drivers. With the driver's opinion in mind, he conducted in-depth research on the problem.

At the first session of the NPC in 2023, Gong submitted a suggestion on improving the construction of "drivers' home", which received a positive response from the Ministry of Transport.

"It is my duty and mission to bring the voices of the grassroots to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and help them live a better life," he said, following through with purposeful actions.

Gong Xuefeng (center), a deputy to the National People's Congress, joins a delegation to inspect a court in Southwest China's Sichuan province. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Shen Jianhua and Wang Boxun contributed to this story.