Zhang Junzhou had barely settled into his new post when the altitude began to take its toll. Shortly after arriving in Amdo county in July 2025, the official from Shenyang, Liaoning province, experienced dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. During a field trip to remote northern areas, the combination of rugged terrain and thin air left him close to fainting.

"For several kilometers, the road kept rising and falling, and the lack of oxygen made it very difficult," he recalled.

Amdo county in Nagchu city, known as the "northern gateway" of the Xizang autonomous region, sits at an average elevation exceeding 4,700 meters, where oxygen levels are less than half of those at sea level, and the climate is cold and dry. Zhang arrived as a member of the 11th group of aid officials sent to the county from Shenyang to improve living standards there.

In such high-altitude regions, elderly health management has become one of the key priorities in improving people's livelihoods. In recent years, facilities have been built or upgraded, and services expanded, including the integration of medical care and daily assistance. One resident, Tashi Tsering, suffered mobility and speech difficulties due to a brain illness. After moving into a newly built care center, he began receiving regular treatment and support, and staff say his condition has since improved.

Zhang noted that many of these projects were initiated by earlier batches of aid officials, reflecting a shared, long-term commitment. "No single group can accomplish everything in just a few years," he said. "Each batch of aid officials brings dedication and a deep sense of responsibility to the work, doing their best to make a difference. Over time, those efforts come together to bring real change."

His team regularly coordinates aid programs outlined during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), helping resolve construction challenges and ensure timely delivery. With that period now closing, new priorities are taking shape.

"Building on extensive preliminary research and taking into account local conditions, we are now drafting plans for the next five years of aid projects in Xizang," Zhang said, adding that infrastructure across the county would be strengthened, with a focus on rural revitalization, urban renewal, and urbanization.

Alongside infrastructure, the team has also worked to expand access to education and public services, including donating books to local schools and organizing free medical consultations.

Building on these efforts, Zhang has also turned attention to enriching cultural life. After noticing the county lacked a cinema, he worked with local departments to convert an existing venue into a digital screening hall.

"People here had very limited access to new films," he said. "We wanted to bring that experience closer to them."

One of the first films screened was Puruo Gangri, a tribute film set in the 1970s that depicts herders moving into the harsh, uninhabited Changtang region to build new homes. It had only just been released in Lhasa and a few other locations at the time.

"We contacted the distributors and secured the screening rights as early as possible," Zhang said.

The screenings were organized for residents and government staff.

"Many people were deeply moved," Zhang said. "The film reflects the hardships and resilience of those who came before us, and it resonates with people here who are familiar with that history. At the same time, it also reminds them how much life has improved today. Being able to watch a newly released film without leaving the county is something people truly appreciate."

An important element of the local culture is the high value placed on protecting the environment during daily life. Zhang and his team uphold a strict "environment first" principle to make sure that every project, from infrastructure to public services, respects the plateau's fragile ecology, given that the area is a source of the Yangtze River.

It's a responsibility the team shares with locals. Many residents have lived on the plateau for generations, and their actions reflect a deep-rooted understanding of the land.

Dawa Dondrub, a 32-year-old deputy head of the protection team in Marchu township, northern part of Amdo county, described how the aid teams work alongside local communities.

"The residents here naturally prioritize the environment in everything they do," he said. "When we patrol or monitor wildlife, residents are right there with us, sharing their knowledge and experience. The aid teams are not imposing anything, but they are working together with the community."

Patrols involve volunteers of all ages, from young students to retired elders, highlighting a shared commitment across generations, he said.

For Zhang, such collaboration underscores a broader principle. "This is not just about building infrastructure or providing services," he said. "It's about working with local people, learning from them, and ensuring that development strengthens the community while protecting the environment."