Subinur Ahat, chemical technician, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region

Subinur Ahat chose to work at Karamay Petrochemical Co in her hometown of Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, after graduating from China University of Petroleum in Beijing. Over the past seven years, she has been promoted despite fierce competition in an industry often regarded as unsuitable for women.

To ensure safety standards, the company's oil refining equipment is closely monitored 24 hours a day. For the first four years of her job, Subinur patrolled late at night to check whether pipelines and instruments were functioning properly.

Sometimes she had to climb 10 meters in freezing conditions to inspect equipment with a flashlight. On other occasions she had to figure out a quick solution to problems while protecting herself from hazards such as toxic fumes, fire or explosions.

Her position requires her to act quickly and offer solutions to problems within five minutes.

"Though there is more stress at work, I feel a great sense of achievement. Every time I see black crude oil turn into clear, clean, pure oil, I feel that my work to maintain stable and safe production has great meaning," she said.

At the age of 32, Subinur Ahat became one of the youngest female chemical technicians at her company. Last year, she was elected a deputy to Xinjiang People's Congress. She was surprised but honored.