The Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China, China's fundamental law on ethnic affairs, took effect on July 1, 2026.
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to work involving the nation's ethnic groups. Further, the CPC Central Committee has stressed that fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation should be a focus in the Party's work on ethnic affairs in the new era and a focus in the work on all fronts in ethnic regions. Xi's thoughts on strengthening and improving ethnic work have since been formed.
Women's federations, at all levels, have since focused on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and they have played their role as a bridge connecting the Party and the government and women. Through various women-oriented activities, the federations have guided women, of all ethnic groups, in unswervingly following the Party's lead, and in contributing their wisdom and strength to building a strong nation and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Women, from diverse ethnic groups, regions and social sectors, have been striving for excellence in their work, to live in harmony and reach out to each other in adversity, and to vividly demonstrate the profound meaning of "All ethnic groups are one family, jointly building the Chinese Dream together."
This article focuses on the story of Liu Sanjie Pomegranate Seeds Crew, at Laibin North Railway Station, under China Railway Nanning Group, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to help all ethnic groups stay closely united "like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together," on several occasions in recent years. Inspired by this call, station attendants at Laibin North Railway Station, under China Railway Nanning Group, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, have named their crew Liu Sanjie Pomegranate Seeds Crew. Why? They intend to promote ethnic unity and progress through provision of their services. Also, the name honors Liu Sanjie, the legendary folk singer from the Zhuang ethnic group.
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is a national demonstration zone for ethnic unity and progress; in fact, Laibin is home to multiple ethnic groups. At Laibin North Railway Station, on any given day, it is common to hear passengers speaking Dong, Yao and other ethnic languages. The languages overheard at the railway station serve as a daily reminder of the region's cultural tapestry.
In 2021, Li Rituo, head of the crew, noticed multiple ethnic groups were represented by the station's women attendants. "The station is already a gathering place for passengers of multiple ethnic groups, why not turn our cultural diversity into a unique service strength?" she asked herself. She had an idea as she pondered the answer to that question.
Liu Sanjie Pomegranate Seeds Crew was officially born on November 27, 2021. The team currently has 29 members, and those attendants represent the Zhuang, Lisu, Dong, Mulao and other ethnic groups. Women make up more than 70 percent of the crew, which has an average age of 32.
From day one, the team's members have made it their mission to greet passengers, provide services, offer guidance, assist the elderly and children, and answer passengers' questions. Li has also led the team in offering multilingual services, in Mandarin and various ethnic minority languages.
For the convenience of elderly passengers, the team has established "Silver Hair" lanes near the ticket gates, and designed special cards, with service hotlines, to hand out to seniors. To reduce language barriers, the team's members have taught each other their native dialects, and those tutoring sessions have sparked lively "language exchanges" that have energized the crew.
What sets the team apart? The members think one step ahead, and they do a little more for their passengers. For example, one day, in 2024, a woman collapsed at the station. Li rushed to check on the passenger's condition, and she immediately called for assistance. The passenger, who had fainted from low blood sugar, received prompt treatment and was quickly recovered. Li always carries a notebook, with emergency-response procedures, in her pocket. She also keeps notes on special-needs passengers. "What passengers should remember isn't just the train's speed, but the warmth of our services," Li says.
Ahead of this year's Spring Festival, attendant Zhang Lin was tasked with caring for a passenger in an electric wheelchair. The passenger, who had limited mobility, was traveling alone. Although protocol only required she escort the passenger to the station's exit, she accompanied him to the taxi pick-up point at basement level. The driver initially refused to take the fare, because the destination was a remote village with rough roads. Zhang wouldn't hear of it. She argued for the passenger. "He's alone, and it's the Spring Festival. He just wants to get home. Please do him this favor." The driver finally relented. Zhang then helped the passenger into the car, secured his wheelchair and luggage, reminded the driver to drive safely, marked down the license plate, and confirmed someone would meet the passenger at the destination. Only after all that did she return to her post.
During traditional festivals, such as Sanyuesan Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, the team organizes creative, "High-Speed Rail + Folklore" events. Dressed in their festive ethnic attire, they perform bamboo pole dances, with passengers, in the station's square and in the waiting halls. They also sing Liu Sanjie folk songs, and they exchange embroidered pouches and sachets. Such interactions offer travelers, from across the country, a warm, immersive taste of Guangxi's hospitality.
The team's care extends beyond the station. The crew has organized quarterly visits to the Laibin City Welfare Institute to provide care and companionship to the children. The team also volunteers in the various communities, schools and public squares, throughout the city, to promote railway culture and safety, through lectures and lively plays.
Since its establishment, Liu Sanjie Pomegranate Seeds Crew has served more than 5,260 passengers with special needs, recovered nearly 10,000 lost items, received 18 banners of gratitude and garnered more than 410 letters and/or phone calls of praise. The team has been honored with various titles, including National Railway Women's Model Post and National Railway Advanced Women's Collective.
In March this year, the crew was named a National March 8th Red-Banner Collective. All of the team's members have felt deeply encouraged and motivated, since receiving this accolade. For Li, the most recent honor carries an especially weighty responsibility: "With greater recognition comes an even higher standard of service," she says. While the accolade affirms the team's past efforts, the young women have no intention of slowing down. They intend to remain committed to forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, integrating ethnic cultures with their daily service work, and contributing women's strength to ethnic unity and progress.
Photos from Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly July 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
