Ma Shanxiang, who is fondly called "Lao Ma" by people in the Guanyinqiao Subdistrict of southwest China's Chongqing, has spent more than three decades resolving over 2,500 disputes for the masses and serving local communities, setting an example for younger mediators to facilitate negotiations.
Ma was one of the eight recipients of the July 1 Medal, the Party's highest honor, personally conferred by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at a ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing on Wednesday.
Formerly an official with the Guanyinqiao Subdistrict office, Ma was rehired to continue his job, despite officially retiring.
Recently, he successfully resolved a dispute about elevator installation where a resident who had previously declined to pay installation costs later sought to make a retroactive payment, which led to disagreement among neighbors over fairness and participation.
During the mediation, Ma used one of his most frequent tactics by tightly grasping the hand of whichever of the parties in the dispute seemed most emotional.
"Most grassroots disputes are resolved through emotional engagement and appropriate adjustment of interests. Such conflicts are common at the community level, but every small matter is closely related to people's well-being," said Ma.
"He prompts people to understand and acknowledge the feelings and perspectives of all parties. He can pinpoint the root of people's problems. I would describe him as a devoted servant. He treats everyone with sincerity and genuine care," said Huang Yinxuan, a resident at Guanyinqiao Subdistrict.
Ma's office is filled with more than 280 volumes of records of his mediation over the past 30 years.
One of the most inspiring cases is a construction-site dispute.
"Under the blazing sun, ordinary people were basking in the heat. Then the person in charge of the developer's construction company asked me to go to their office, which had air conditioning, to report on the situation. So I was in the middle, with the sunbaked people on one side and the air conditioning on the other side. I was standing in the sun, observing, listening, thinking, and speaking, and the problem was solved in about 20 minutes. What does this case show? It shows that we must always stand on the people's side," he said.
Drawing on decades of grassroots experience, Ma has developed his unique working method. "Lao Ma Studio", a grassroots dispute mediation organization, was established under his leadership.
Ma has shared his experiences in more than 8,000 sessions in CPC and government organs and higher education institutions across the country over the years.
"We must work in a detailed and thorough way. However, I don't stop at small things; I also want to extend my responsibilities to a broader scope, playing an exemplary role as a CPC member. How can I be politically committed and highly capable? How can I stay loyal to the Party? How can I have ideals and convictions? My efforts are all answering these questions," said Ma.
In addition to doing mediation work in person, Ma has also mentored younger mediators. Under his guidance, 3,080 mediator studios have been established in Chongqing.
Community mediator who has resolved over 2,500 disputes in 30 years receives July 1 Medal
