Editor's Note: The State Council Information Office held a group interview on Thursday to discuss stepping up efforts to boost China's transportation strength as the nation strives to become a pioneer in the industry.

Permafrost formed over 10,000 years ago, but due to the warming and humidification of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it's gradually turning into something like "sesame paste". Building roads on this kind of soft, unstable ground is a huge challenge. My first approach was to mix cement into the "sesame paste" to make it solid. The second was to add crushed stone, a method we call dynamic compaction and replacement — this helps the soft soil support loads. The third method involves using pile foundations to go through the soft layer so that the load rests directly on the deeper, permanent permafrost.

Tian Bo, deputy director at the basic research and innovation center of the Research Institute of Highways, Ministry of Transport

What makes me happiest now is seeing tourists from all over China and around the world coming to Yichang and the Three Gorges to take boat tours and experience (the Three Gorges Dam). Many of them wave flags, cheer and wave at us as they pass by. They show their admiration for this great engineering feat of our country. That makes me really proud.

Li Ran, director of the navigation engineering technology center under the Three Gorges Navigation Authority

While carrying out maritime patrol duties, I've noticed more and more ships passing through our area, and the volume of cargo continues to grow. Ships are also becoming increasingly smart. "Intelligent ships" now shuttle back and forth at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Unmanned quay cranes can load and unload over 60 containers an hour, and autonomous container trucks offer safe, low-cost transportation.

Zhan Chunpei, captain of the Haixun 01, Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration

If the TBM(Tunnel Boring Machine) is like a "dragon beneath the earth", then the operator is the "dragon tamer". The Tianshan TBM machine is over 280 meters long and weighs more than 2,800 metric tons. It's made up of dozens of systems and tens of thousands of components, and its operation requires millimeter-level precision. Running it demands not only professional skills, but also a strong sense of responsibility.

Cui Huaxin, operator of the Tianshan tunnel boring machine, China Communications Construction Company

In the past, there were no roads. Delivering mail was extremely difficult and dangerous — I had to walk the whole way, and one round trip took six days. Now that roads have been built, I can use a motorcycle to deliver the mail, and I can make five trips a week. The job is still tough, but I feel very proud because I've built a bridge of communication that connects over 20,000 people in the mountains with the outside world.

Sang Nancai, a mailman in Chenggan township, Lushui city, Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province