Family photo with Li Ping(R)

Yadong, a county in Xigaze, a city in Tibet, borders India and the Kingdom of Bhutan. Known for its beautiful natural views, Yadong is an ecological tourist resort. Many residents work tirelessly to promote the county's development and prosperity.

Treasuring Happiness

Li Ping (whose Tibetan name is Kelsang Dekyi), 53, is a native of Yadong. Soon after she graduated from Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, in 1988, Li became the first forest policewoman in Yadong. In 2010, she was appointed Yadong's deputy mayor. During the past three decades, Li has witnessed tremendous changes in Yadong, as she has led residents in promoting the county's economic and social development.

"We led a simple life when we were children. Our five-member family lived in a small house, and we rarely ate meat. Now, we live in a spacious, well-lit house, and we enjoy various, healthy foods ... All this heightens our sense of well-being," recalls Li.

Her father, Li Taiming, was one of the first young Han people, dispatched by the Chinese Government to Tibet, to promote the region's economic and social development. "Soon after he began working in Yadong, in 1960, my dad got to know Mom, a local resident. They fell in love and got married," recalls Li Ping.

Li Taiming is pleased his three children have achieved success in their careers. He is also pleased by the tremendous changes that have taken place — in all spheres of Tibetan society — during the past seven decades.

Despite their improving living conditions, Li Ping and her relatives, who treasure their happy lives, are industrious and thrifty when managing the household.

"Dad always urges us to work hard, so we can live up to the expectations of the Party, the State and the people," says Li Ping. "I hope we will witness more pleasant changes in Tibet. I also hope my daughter and her contemporaries will make concerted efforts to build Tibet into a better place."

Li Taiming, Li Ping's father

'Bathed in Warm Sunshine of Love'

Led by the Party, Tibet has made historic achievements in various sectors during the past seven decades. The People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region has put a lot of effort into improving children's education. That has helped change the fate of many families. "When we were kids, receiving education in China's inland regions was a distant ideal (for us). However, my daughter and her contemporaries have opportunities to study, both in the inland regions and abroad. They can apply what they learn in building their mother country into a prosperous, powerful State," says Li Ping.

Kelsang Yarlha, Li Ping's daughter, in 2012 was admitted to Peking University, after she passed China's university-entrance examination. She earned the top score, in arts, in Tibet during the examination. Four years later, Kelsang Yarlha went to New York, to study arts management at Columbia University. Soon after she received her master's degree, in 2018, she returned to Lhasa to work as a professional curator.

"We are proud of our daughter … We are grateful to the Chinese Government for offering us opportunities to display our talents," says Li Ping.

Last spring, Kelsang Yarlha established Lhasa Art Box Lab, dedicated to helping communities (in Lhasa) organize various fun activities, including art shows, salons and various public-education activities. "I hope with creation and innovation, we will breathe new life into Tibet's traditional crafts, so people the world over will have a better understanding of the unique charm of the crafts," says Kelsang Yarlha.

Even though she left her hometown, at an early age, to pursue her studies, Kelsang Yarlha is emotionally attached to Yadong, and she has a great sense of belonging to the small county. "Given the vigorous support of the Chinese Government, tremendous changes have taken place in my hometown in recent years. Whenever I see residents' smiling faces, I have the feeling of being 'bathed in warm sunshine of love.' I believe Yadong will have a better tomorrow," says Kelsang Yarlha.

She is proud of the remarkable creativity and originality of Tibetans of her generation. She is also impressed by the young people's strong love for family and country, and their ardent enthusiasm and vigorous vitality, especially as they make persevering efforts to realize their dreams. Kelsang Yarlha believes young people are the "backbone" on which the new, better Tibet is being constructed. Why? Many of the young people have learned how to think independently, and they are willing to try new things. As a result, they tend to have broad minds and tolerant hearts.

​Kelsang Yarlha, Li Ping's daughter

Harmonious, Happy Family

Li Ping and her family believe national prosperity and harmonious, happy families are essential to residents' happiness. They believe a happy family is like a delicate flower, of which every family member must take good care. Li Ping and Phurbu Tashi, her husband, have loved each other dearly since they got married more than 20 years ago. They have respected the elderly and loved the young, and they have educated their children well, remained on good terms with their neighbors, and worked hard to fulfill their duties.

"We are lucky we live in a good age. Numerous Tibetans have dedicated themselves to the cause of building Tibet into a better place, since the region's peaceful liberation. As our motherland has become increasingly prosperous in recent years, more and more Tibetans have been living happy, fulfilled lives. We not only enjoy full rights in all spheres of society, but we also have more opportunities to display our talents. That reinforces our national identity as Chinese," Li Ping has been quoted as saying.

In 2009, Li Ping's mother passed away. Despite her tight schedule, Li Ping manages to spend time with her aged father, who lives in Yadong. Every day, she gets up at daybreak and exercises with Li Taiming. Since he retired, earlier this year, Phurbu Tashi has lived with Kelsang Yarlha.

"Although we live apart, our family will soon reunite. Within a short time, I'll retire from the public security bureau. Then, I'll travel to Shanghai, Guangzhou and other large cities (in China) with my father, so we will see the rapid development of our country … This year marks the 70th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful liberation. I believe numerous people the world over will be fascinated by the unique charm of the modern, socialist Tibet," says Li Ping.

Photos Supplied by the Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly May 2021 issue)