A young entrepreneur in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, is transforming lives by running a chain of restaurants where all staff members are hearing impaired.
Guan Shuai is the founder of Xiaomanwusheng, a restaurant chain that has become a symbol of empowerment and inclusion for the hearing-impaired community.
Founded in 2021, Guan's seven restaurants that offer customers healthy food have provided employment to over 30 hearing-impaired individuals, offering them more than just jobs, but also dignity and purpose.
Guan was motivated to start the venture after witnessing the challenges hearing-impaired individuals face in the job market, often overlooked due to perceived communication difficulties.
"We didn't think a lot at the beginning. We simply wanted to help some hearing impaired people around us earn a living, and to help them find employment. Our starting point was a very simple idea," said Guan.
Today, his restaurants are staffed entirely by hearing-impaired employees from across the country who work across all departments from cooking and management to food delivery.
Customers place their orders by scanning a QR code at their tables or ordering online, making the dining experience seamless and barrier-free.
Guan is proud of his team's performance and dedication.
"I believe they are very excellent. They have high efficiency and their own principles, which are the qualities that the food industry needs. Once the working environment is comfortable, they wouldn't resign and they love the job," said Guan, noting that they also work harder to share expertise with the new staff members.
For Guan, the restaurants are more than just a business. He sees them as platforms for personal growth and inclusion.
He hopes his work continues to inspire others and expand opportunities for the hearing-impaired community -- not just in Chengdu, but across the nation.
Chengdu eatery chain uplifts hearing-impaired workers
Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2025 sent a clear and consistent message to the world that China will always be a force for peace, stability, and progress.
Xi made strong remarks to this effect on Sept 3, 2025, when the country marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
More than one month earlier, on July 7, 2025 -- the 88th anniversary of the start of the entire nation's resistance against Japanese aggression, Xi traveled to the monument square honoring the martyrs of the Hundred-Regiment Campaign, where he called on the young people to carry forward the revolutionary traditions and set ambitious goals.
"Our hope is placed on you and the future belongs to you. I hope each of you will study diligently, strive hard, and be upright and proud Chinese people," he told the youngsters in the crowd.
On Sept 3 this year, China held the commemoration in Chinese capital Beijing.
The commemoration drew 61 foreign heads of state and government, senior representatives of relevant countries, leaders of international organizations, former political leaders, and other dignitaries.
"Today we gather here to solemnly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It is an occasion for us to jointly remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace and create a better future," Xi said at the commemoration.
Later, at a reception in the Great Hall of the People, Xi emphasized China's role as a force for peace, stability, and progress.
"Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development. China will always be a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world. We sincerely hope that all countries will learn from history, value peace, and work together to advance world modernization and create a better future for humanity," Xi said.
China will always be force for peace, stability and progress: Xi
China will always be force for peace, stability and progress: Xi
