The distance between Xiongan New Area in North China's Hebei province and Mabian in Southwest China's Sichuan province is more than 2,000 kilometers. Jina Xiaohu, 23, and Aluo Chunmei, 22, who have lived in the mountains since childhood, never thought they would work in Xiongan one day.

The couple are now working as tower crane drivers at the construction site of a resettlement housing project in Rongdong district in Xiongan. They have taken turns on duty since they arrived in July this year.

Located about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing, the new economic zone was set up to take over Beijing's functions not essential to its role as the nation's capital. The non-capital functions include universities, medical institutes, enterprise headquarters and financial institutions. With an eye on the ongoing projects in Xiongan New Area, like urban communities and suburban parks, the government is pushing forward with an ambitious plan to transform the dusty plains of Hebei province near Beijing and Tianjin into a dynamic green model city by using cutting-edge technology.

Mabian, a Yi autonomous county, in Leshan, Sichuan, lies among the great mountains against a steep hillside. In fact, Jina and Aluo never thought that they would leave their hometown, but their life experience has pushed them forward, and they finally settled in Xiongan, the "city of the future", after having worked in Guangdong, Tianjin, Shandong and other places.

In 2016, the 19-year-old Jina left Mabian and began working in an electronics factory in Guangdong province. It was his first time being exposed to the sophisticated glitter of a metropolis, and he swore that he must work hard to help his family achieve a better life.

In 2017, Jina went to work at a construction site in Guangzhou. With the help of fellow workers, he and his wife learned the skills of a crane driver. In July 2019, Jina saw a job advertisement from China Railway Construction for a crane driver post in Xiongan. The couple succeeded in securing the job, and have been working there ever since.

Jina and his wife climb up to the 50-meter-high cab and operate the two levers that control the direction and height of the crane. A curve-shaped telescopic boom provides accuracy for lifting and stacking the building materials at the designated location.

The couple, who work high above the ground, are not only front-line workers, but also witnesses of the robust growth in Xiongan New Area. "When we first arrived, many buildings were merely a laid foundation, but they are now several stories high," Aluo said. "As the project progresses, our tower cranes will continue to rise."

They go out to work at 6 o'clock every day. As the construction site requires the tower crane to be on standby for 24 hours, it is common for them to work overtime.

In their eyes, the construction in Xiongan reflects high-quality economic growth: advanced construction technology, strict project management and regular education and training. Although tired and busy most of the time, the young couple like their job, and feel proud that they are actively contributing to the construction of Xiongan.

Jina and Aluo often walk around the alleys of the construction site after work. In a corner of the tower crane forest, they look into the future.

There are more than 2,000 crane drivers like Jina and Aluo in Xiongan. They are the pioneers who put all their heart into their work. These builders strive to create a benchmark for high-quality development.

With tower cranes standing sentinel between row upon row of tall buildings, the construction site is illuminated in shining searchlights. The couple walk side by side in this steel city after work. The happy days will continue to extend under their feet.