Meeting people is crucial

Last year, China Daily's National News Desk made a short video, using footage and pictures of the reporters and editors at work. It seemed to be the only solution to our inability to take a group photo with everyone in it. That's something we've attempted, but failed, to do many times, because our reporters are always out and about, bringing the real China to our readers.

For me, the kick of getting a great quote still instantly removes the fatigue caused by traveling nonstop for hours or even days. My colleagues and I agree that without meeting people in person and taking time to earn their trust, there would be no way to get such quotes.

An employee at China's biggest Bible publisher and exporter, in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, told me that she sees the factory floor as "a Holy Sea of Bibles".

A humorous border police officer in China's northernmost village, Beiji, Heilongjiang province, said there would be no delay in "Santa Claus"－a Finnish national temporally based in the village－distributing gifts, because the latest mobile application meant the inspection process only took a few minutes.

A man from Jiangxi province who lifted himself out of poverty said he gets up at 6 am every day because he believes that without self-motivation all the government's poverty alleviation policies are pointless.

I couldn't get that just by chatting on the phone or social media. That's why our reporters are always traveling to reach people around China and be touched by them. A heart-to-heart interview will always be the foundation of a good story.

I once asked a young earthquake survivor from Sichuan province what she did in the immediate aftermath. She replied:"I said'I love you' to all my family members who survived the earthquake. Coming from a traditional Chinese family, I'd never said those three words to them. I suggest you do it now."

In response, I called my family in front of her and said I loved them. She cried and gave me a big hug.

Last year, my uncle died suddenly from heart failure. Thanks to that young woman, I won't live with the regret that I never told him how much I loved him.