STORY: Discovering Tibet with FPV drone: Bridgebuilder witnesses Tibet's development
DATELINE: July 13, 2023
LENGTH: 00:04:54
LOCATION: LHASA, China
CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Lhasa-Shigatse expressway
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): DENG KUN, Engineer in bridge construction
3. various of Lhasa-Shigatse expressway
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): KELSANG, Technician
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): DENG KUN, Engineer in bridge construction
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ZENG DEWEN, Worker
7. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): KELSANG, Technician
8. various of Lhasa-Shigatse expressway
9. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): DENG KUN, Engineer in bridge construction
10. various of Lhasa-Shigatse expressway

STORYLINE:

Deng Kun, a bridge engineer, has worked for three years on the Lhasa-Shigatse expressway in China's Tibet.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): DENG KUN, Engineer in bridge construction
"What I witness is the speed of development. It's nothing about science fiction, but reality.
Please watch out for your safety while working. Let's get to work.
Don't take down so much. Just a little bit.
Stack them up again if they fall down.
I'm Deng Kun, an engineer in bridge construction with China Railway Seventh Group Co., Ltd. I have worked in Tibet for three years.
Lift it up slowly. Watch out for your safety.
Since graduation, I have been engaged in bridge engineering, mostly this kind of special continuous steel girder bridges. Three years ago, I volunteered to come to Tibet and make my contribution to the construction of bridges and highways here.
At the beginning, climbing up there left me with muscle soreness. Gradually I have been accustomed to it. But still my knees would ache a little bit when I climb.
It's quite difficult to build a bridge in the plateau region. It's a dangerous and tough job.
There are many special structures here. If I don't personally check it, I will not feel at ease. So I inspect critical sections involving key processes every day."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): KELSANG, Technician
"Deng, we are about to finish the work today. Please come up here to check it."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): DENG KUN, Engineer in bridge construction
"Roger. I will be there soon.
I have never regarded this profession merely as a job, given its significance for the construction of the country and the safety of lives and property.
I'm coming.
It's truly fulfilling to witness a bridge gradually taking shape through our collective efforts. It's also the dream of all workers here."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ZENG DEWEN, Worker
"Working in Tibet, with the low oxygen content, I often feel physically exhausted but mentally at peace. I'm so proud of building such a mega bridge with a large span."

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): KELSANG, Technician
"I'm from Shigatse. My dream, in grand terms, is to contribute to the development of my hometown and in simpler terms, to work hard to make money and support my parents."

SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): DENG KUN, Engineer in bridge construction
"After the Lhasa-Shigatse expressway is put into service, the travel time will be reduced from over 5 hours to 2.5 hours.
As a bridge construction professional, I've witnessed the entire process of bridges emerging from nothing and being brought to completion, as well as the increasing speed in bridge construction, and the advancement of technologies involved.
What I witness is the speed of development. It's nothing about science fiction, but reality.
After the bridge is put into service, I will definitely drive through it sometime, which is the biggest reward for me.
Discovering Tibet, this is my story."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lhasa, China.
(XHTV)