Second-generation postman connects isolated communities

BEIJING, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China Daily:

For nearly two decades, postman Lhalung Dorje has traveled the rocky mountain roads, frozen winter tracks and remote grassland pastures of the route locals call the "Long March mail route".

High on the plateau in Sichuan province's Aba Tibetan-Qiang autonomous prefecture, this winding path cuts through some of the harshest terrain once crossed by Red Army soldiers during the Communist Party of China's historic Long March. It is here that Lhalung Dorje makes daily deliveries to isolated villages that private courier services will not reach.

"Our hardship cannot compare with what the Red Army endured, but the spirit is the same," Lhalung Dorje said.

His work embodies the military-civilian bond at the heart of the Long March — a theme President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized.

Addressing a ceremony in Beijing marking the 90th anniversary of the Long March's victory on Thursday, Xi said the great spirit of the Long March demonstrates the power of loyalty, truth, justice and unity. "It will always be a precious treasure and a powerful driving force inspiring us to overcome difficulties and forge ahead courageously."

"On our new journey, we are now committed to realizing the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization," he said.

For Lhalung Dorje, the Long March spirit — passed down through childhood stories from his elders — is what carries him through the hardships of his mail route.

Commercial courier operators, guided by profit, mostly limit their services to county hubs in Zoige.

Bound by China Post's universal service obligation, the 42-year-old Lhalung Dorje and his team keep reaching far-flung hamlets and nomadic grazing lands.

Danger is ever-present on these mountain routes. On one trip, fresh landslides sealed the road ahead and behind him mid-journey.

Trapped with no mobile phone signal, he spent a frigid night sheltering in his vehicle waiting for help.

On another occasion, a huge boulder tumbled onto the road and slammed into the front of his van.

Nearly two decades into the job, he says he has embarked on his own Long March: stepping outside his comfort zone. Though naturally reserved, Lhalung Dorje began hosting free public-welfare livestreams in 2021, helping plateau farmers sell yak meat, poultry and local fruit to buyers across the country.

One two-hour livestream promoting locally grown green plums brought in 800,000 yuan in sales. His first broadcast left him badly nervous.

"My calves shook, my face burned hot in front of the camera," he recalled.

Keen to explore new ways to help his community, he studied for roughly 40 days and retook two exams to earn a civilian drone pilot license. He hopes drones can one day carry mail to areas cut off by winter snow or landslides, while also moving highland farm produce to external markets.

Lhalung Dorje counts himself among the hundreds of millions of Chinese people working toward national rejuvenation. He plans to keep serving these rural mail routes until he retires.

"My original wish is simple: to serve ordinary local people and bring them convenience," he said.

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SOURCE China Daily