Ai Aiguo at the overhaul site of the Xiangtan Steel blast furnace No. 3 in 1990.

For half a century he's devoted himself to welding and is now a leading figure in China's welding sector known for his high-quality products, innovations and hundreds of technical breakthroughs. He is Ai Aiguo, welding consultant of the Hunan Valin Xiangtan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.

On June 29, 2021, when the Communist Party of China Central Committee conferred, for the first time in history, the July 1 Medal to 29 distinguished Party members, Ai is one of the 29 honourees and the only factory worker.

Ai was born in Youxian County, central China's Hunan Province, in March 1950. In October 1968, when China was in the midst of the chaotic "cultural revolution" (1966–1976), school study was suspended, and Ai was sent to live and work in a remote mountain village in Youxian County.

The 18-year-old boy was short and thin, but had an outgoing spirit and an optimistic attitude. He always did the toughest work, and always came first in face of challenges. Aged people in that village still remember that young man.