At the resettlement site for quake-affected people in Village 2, Maru Township, Baqen County, Nagqu City, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, a man from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is busy making Xinjiang-style pilaf. While inhaling supplemental oxygen to relieve altitude sickness, he istrying to figure out how to use a pressure cooker at high altitude, hoping to serve hot Xinjiang pilaf to the affected residents.

The man is Alimujiang Halike, who was named a National Moral Model in the third national selection. Upon learning that a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Baqen, he traveled thousands of kilometers via multiple stops to reach the disaster area. Through concrete actions, he embodies the spirit of mutual aid — when disaster strikes in one place, help comes from all sides — and conveys the profound bond of mutual support among all ethnic groups.

"As soon as I saw news of the earthquake, I decided to come over," Alimujiang told reporters. He was in Xi’an at that time. To prepare cookware suitable for highland cooking, he made a special trip back to Urumqi, bringing his pressure cooker, then traveled via Xining and Lhasa, coordinated with friends to prepare supplies, and finally arrived at the resettlement site in Village 2, Maru Townshipin Baqen Countyat around 11 a.m. onOctober 25.

“When disaster strikes in one place, help comes from all sides. I came here to serve the people.” Alimujiang said when asked why he had endured hardships to rush to the disaster area.

This is not Alimujiang’s first time taking part in earthquake relief efforts. Over the years, he has taken part in disaster relief work in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province and other places. He also rushed to the disaster area to offer assistance after the Dingri earthquake in Xizang in 2025. Following the earthquake in Baqen, he once again headed to the front line of relief work, hoping to use his skills and do what he could for the affected residents.

Located at a high elevation, Maru Township in Baqen County features low air pressure and thin oxygen, creating many challenges for pilaf-making. “Making pilaf here is different from in Xinjiang. We have to use a pressure cooker because of the high altitude,” Alimujiang explained. October 26 marked his first attempt to cook a pot of pilaf at the resettlement site. He kept adjusting his cooking method according to the local altitude and actual cooking results. “I tried it today and learned a few things. Tomorrow it should go more smoothly and turn out better.”

In addition to the different cooking conditions, severe altitude sickness posed a major challenge to Alimujiang. He was inhaling oxygen to relieve discomfort during the interview. Alimujiang said he suffered from serious altitude sickness after arriving. He had a splitting headache the previous night, and his condition improved after staff at the site provided oxygen and medicine. Even so, he hoped to keep helping the affected residents as long as his health permitted.

“I will stay a few more days if I feel better. If my health doesn’t allow it, I will head back. I must not be a burden to others,”Alimujiang said. He said he had come to help the affected residents and did not want his health to become a burden on rescue workers.

Alimujiang was also heartened by the living conditions and support measures for affected residents at the resettlement site. “The residents here are in good spirits, and the children are playing happily. Water, electricity and daily necessities are well provided,”he noted. After the earthquake, local Party committees and governments quickly organized rescue and resettlement work. He was deeply moved by police officers, firefighters and staff from various sectors who had stayed at their posts.

“People of all ethnic groups in Xizang are welcome to visit Xinjiang, see the happy lives of people of all ethnic groups there, and experience the unity we share as one big family,”Alimujiang extended a warm invitation to people of all ethnic groups in Xizang during the interview.

Traveling a long distance from Xinjiang to Xizang, Alimujiang brought more than a pot of Xinjiang pilaf. He brought care and concern for the quake-affected residents. When trouble strikes in one place, help comes from all sides. After the earthquake, rescue teams and caring people from all walks of life across the country lent a hand, supporting disaster relief and residents’daily needs in various ways. A pot of pilaf links Xinjiang and Xizang, and a heart of kindness strengthens ethnic unity. At the resettlement site on the northern Xizang Plateau, this warmth spanning thousands of kilometers is merging into the collective strength of people of all ethnic groups standing together to tide over difficulties.

Reporter: Zhao Zhenyu, Li Ying

Translator: Ni Weijing

First Review: Liu Fang, Pan Lu

Second Review: Li Chengye

Third Review: Hu Rongguo