Miriban Maiturouzi, former Deputy Director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China Committee of Cele County in Xinjiang's Hetian (Hotan) Prefecture, has been nominated as a candidate for the third batch of China Good People in 2026, a national recognition program celebrating individuals who exemplify virtue and public service.

This recognition followed her untimely death on June 22, when she was caught in a mountain flood while en route to inspect a flood-damaged road. At 30 years old, her life was marked by a consistent dedication to serving the people and her beloved hometown.

Sowing seeds of learning 

Miriban was born in September 1995 in Cele, Hetian Prefecture, a region situated at the southern fringe of the Taklimakan Desert, the largest desert in China and the second largest shifting desert in the world. This is a land where the elements dictate life, a place famously described by the local people as experiencing "one windstorm a year, from spring to winter." Cele itself has undergone three relocations in its history due to the persistent encroachment of sandstorms.

Upon completing her secondary education, Miriban traveled over 3,000 km to Beijing to pursue studies in art. During her time in the capital, she maintained a strong academic record.

Following her graduation, she received offers from several reputable institutions, and the prospect of establishing a career in a vibrant metropolis was a viable path.

However, Miriban's heart remained tethered to the soil of her hometown Cele. This small county, hemmed in by the desert on three sides, was grappling with a scarcity of preschool education resources. Many young children were unable to articulate even a single complete sentence in standard Chinese, a barrier that hindered their future prospects.

In September 2013, Miriban made the decision to return to Cele, taking up a teaching position at the Cele Township Central Kindergarten. In her teaching, Miriban sought to incorporate local elements into her curriculum, utilizing folk songs and traditional handicrafts to engage young learners.

In March 2024, Miriban transitioned to a new administrative role as vice principal at the Cele County Secondary Vocational Technical School. In this capacity, she was recognized for her attention to the needs of students with disabilities. She actively worked to secure resources, including coordinating with the Cele County Disabled Persons' Federation to obtain hearing aids for four hearing-impaired students. These interventions helped improve communication and integration for these students.

Following further career development and adjustments, Miriban's responsibilities shifted. However, her underlying objective of contributing to the betterment of her hometown remained a consistent focus throughout her career.

Promoting culture and tourism 

From December 2025 until her passing, she temporarily assumed leadership of the Cele County Culture and Tourism Bureau, when she promoted local tourism resources to spur regional development.

She recognized that Cele possessed a wealth of cultural and historical assets, including ancient ruins dating back a millennium, distinct Uygur ethnic attire, traditional musical instruments and local cuisine. The region also boasts a notable date industry. Despite these attractions, the county's remote location and insufficient promotion meant that these valuable resources were largely unknown outside of Xinjiang.

Motivated by this observation, Miriban set a clear objective: to enhance Cele's cultural and tourism profile, aiming to extend its recognition across China. In December 2025, as efforts were underway to upgrade the Kunlun Mountain Scenic Area toward China's highest tourism rating (5A-level), Miriban took a leading role in developing plans for intangible cultural heritage (ICH) promotion. Her involvement included scriptwriting, filming and production of promotional films. She also appeared in some of these productions, serving as a spokesperson for the county's cultural offerings.

Over a two-month period, Miriban was instrumental in the completion of 23 promotional films. These films aimed to showcase ICH items such as Cele's handmade carpets and its specialized herbal teas, which are noted for their use of medicinal plants and their integration of traditional Uygur medicinal theories and dietary practices. During the production for the Asa Ancient City, she undertook significant fieldwork, including a 5-km trek for site investigation, and braved the severe cold to film. She continued her work despite experiencing a high fever.

In August, several episodes of the reality show Let's Farm, which follows young participants operating a farm and engaging in livestream sales, featured Cele. The program garnered significant national attention, with viewers captivated by the bright smile and the passionate gaze of Miriban, who spoke with such fervor about her hometown in the show. Miriban introduced Cele's date industry and ICH in fluent standard Chinese, her voice brimming with pride and enthusiasm.

Following the show's broadcast, Cele's dates surged in popularity. Over 300 tons of dates were sold during a livestream aimed at supporting local farmers. The program also appears to have stimulated interest in tourism to Cele, with an increasing number of tourists beginning to search for travel guides. Yet, few knew that the vibrant and passionate young woman on screen had, two months before the program aired, fallen on the front lines of flood disaster relief.

Disaster response and final sacrifice 

On June 21, Cele experienced heavy rainfall, leading to flooding in the Yulongkeer and Segezileke villages. Miriban was involved in the immediate emergency response.

She participated in the distribution of emergency supplies and assisted in organizing the evacuation of villagers. She provided assistance to elderly residents and offered comfort to frightened children. Her efforts contributed to the successful evacuation of 125 villagers to designated safe locations.

The following day, while traveling to her work assignment, Miriban was caught in a sudden mountain flood and lost her life.

Reflecting on her service, colleagues and officials have often recalled Miriban's commitment to prioritizing the safety of the people, a principle guiding her 13 years of work in Cele. The nomination for "China Good People" serves as a formal acknowledgment of her public service and the circumstances of her passing. Her contributions to the development and promotion of Cele are being recognized as a significant part of her professional legacy.

(Print Edition Title: A Life of Service)

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