Beijing subway: Man behind the scenes

Ning Dalin checks the water pipes, high-pressure air ducts and electrical systems in the subway tunnel on April 15, 2017. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Finding a sense of belonging in a job

When Ning spoke to chinadaily.com.cn on April 15, 2017, the construction worker confirmed he was introduced to the job, working on building Beijing metro, by a friend, but said accepting the position was initially nothing more than just being transitional.

Ning was born in a small village at Xianghe county, Langfang city of North China's Hebei province, and dropped out of his first year of high school. He had a long occupational history, working in construction and maintenance.

Before he started working in the underground, Ning ran a small business during the 1990s; however, transitioned into making a living by doing the odd job here and there after having a failed investment.

"Then I found my current job," he said.

"I didn't regard it as a long-term career at that time, because the company only paid about 1,800 yuan a month at the beginning, and that was very low."

On top of the pay, Ning recalled the poor working environment when he started in underground construction, and said he constantly suffered chapped facial skin during the summer while conducting electric welding work.

"There was no enclosed facility back then, so the tunnel, which was full of holes, was frozenly cold in the winter, and was hot and muggy in summer," he said.

"Also, because we did not use any dust removal equipment, the first thing we had to do after work each day was washing our noses, and then we could go for dinner."

While Ning did not believe he would be working underground for more than a year and a half, he has been there eight years and does not see himself changing careers anytime soon.

"As an honest, hard-working person, I feel a sense of achievement every time I finish a task," he said.