Ma Shanxiang: A problem solver who serves people with his whole heart

For more than 30 years, Ma Shanxiang, affectionately called "Lao Ma" by locals, has helped settle disagreements – not by raising his voice, but by listening.

In Guanyinqiao Subdistrict in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, many residents know exactly where to turn when disputes arise. They simply say, "Go to Lao Ma."

To Ma, resolving conflicts is about more than simply applying the law. It means finding the right balance between legal principles and human compassion.

A recipient of the 2026 July 1 Medal, the highest honorary medal awarded by the Communist Party of China (CPC), Ma has mediated more than 2,000 disputes over the years, from family disagreements to neighborhood conflicts. Along the way, he also wrote millions of words in his work notes, carefully recording what he learned from every case.

More than 280 notebooks containing over 9 million Chinese characters stand as a record of Ma's life's work. Drawing on decades of experience, he developed what is now known as the "Lao Ma Mediation Method," a practical approach that has since been shared with mediators across China.