Outstanding Delegates of the 20th National Congress | Zhang Liming: Innovation Makes Work More Joyful
“One mobile charging gun can cover six parking spaces; if you install five, you can cover 30 spaces.” In the innovation studio, Zhang Liming, a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and team leader of the distribution emergency repair squad at the Binhai Power Supply Company of State Grid Tianjin Electric Power, sat together with two engineering technicians, engaged in a lively discussion. A stack of papers beside them was covered with design sketches.
During the break in the discussion, Zhang Liming introduced to reporters his latest idea—the “mobile shared charging station.”
“When I started volunteering in the electricity sector, I noticed that demand for charging stations at the grassroots level was steadily increasing. That’s when I came up with the idea of setting up fixed charging stations paired with portable charging guns, so as to meet the green travel needs of as many residents as possible.”
“Strive to achieve more high-level, intelligent breakthroughs on the path of innovation.” This quote, penned by Zhang Liming, is prominently displayed in the Innovation Studio. It truly reflects his unwavering commitment to innovation and relentless drive for progress over more than 30 years.
Zhang Liming and his colleagues are debugging the fourth-generation live-working robot for distribution networks (photographed on September 8, 2022). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Zishuo.
Zhang Liming said that from his very first day on the job, his mentor repeatedly emphasized: “In emergency repairs, ‘speed’ means racing against time, and ‘skill’ means mastering the techniques.” Through long-term practice, Zhang Liming has developed a keen eye for power outage repairs—able to swiftly and accurately pinpoint the cause of a fault and identify its exact location based on factors such as the extent of the power outage, weather conditions, and line status, thereby gaining precious time to restore power promptly.
Objects have form, but craftsmanship knows no bounds.
A new type of protective device for high-voltage disconnect switches, a detachable low-voltage disconnect switch... At the World Conference on Vocational and Technical Education Development held this August, Zhang Liming showcased these innovative achievements he’s developed over the years, presenting Chinese workers’ wisdom to the world. “Although I only have a secondary vocational school diploma, as long as I maintain the conviction of lifelong learning, I can still achieve great things,” said Zhang Liming.
Zhang Liming (left) and his colleague debug the fourth-generation live-working robot for distribution networks (photographed on September 8, 2022). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Zishuo.
The innovation studio is home to “flagship products” developed under the leadership of Zhang Liming—the fourth-generation live-line working robot for distribution networks. Although China has already achieved robotic substitution for human workers in high-altitude live-line operations, repair crews still need to provide auxiliary support at heights. Aiming for greater intelligence and lighter weight, Zhang Liming spent several years repeatedly experimenting and refining his designs. Finally, the fourth-generation robot was brought to market and has now been industrialized, with its deployment expanding to 20 provinces.
“Work is joyful, and innovation makes work even more joyful.” Zhang Liming often keeps this saying close to his heart and encourages more young people to embrace innovation.
Currently, Zhang Liming’s innovation platform has become a hub for nurturing innovative talent, leading 63 innovation studios and over 2,000 “power innovators” and “blue-collar makers” to achieve remarkable results. The Communist Party Member Service Team named after Zhang Liming has grown into a regular social volunteer organization comprising 30 subteams and more than 400 members, and has been recognized as a “National Model Site for Learning from Lei Feng.”
Zhang Liming (right) leads the State Grid Tianjin Binhai Liming Communist Party Member Service Team to inspect electricity meters for residents in Dandongli Community, Binhai New Area, Tianjin (photographed on July 15, 2022). Photo by Li Jin, Xinhua.
In recent years, Zhang Liming has consistently been at the forefront of tackling urgent, difficult, and dangerous tasks. In early 2021, when the COVID-19 epidemic resurged in Hebei Province, Zhang Liming volunteered to take the lead, assembling a “COVID-19 Response and Power-Supply Assurance Task Force” of 17 team members and rushing to Hebei under the cover of night. Last July, he once again headed to Henan to provide support in flood relief efforts.
“I feel honored and deeply privileged to have been elected as a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Party,” said Zhang Liming. He added that the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country is inseparable from innovation, and we must steadfastly pursue the goal of building a large workforce that is knowledgeable, skilled, and innovative. We should remain committed to our posts and resolutely forge ahead on the path of innovation.
“I will continue to stay rooted in the front lines, doing my utmost to continuously promote independent innovation and recharge myself for creating a better life,” said Zhang Liming.
Zhang Liming (right) explains basic electrical safety knowledge to residents in Dandongli Community, Binhai New Area, Tianjin (photographed on July 15, 2022).
