Meeting people is crucial

Last year, China Daily's National News Desk made a short video, using footage and pictures of the reporters and editors at work. It seemed to be the only solution to our inability to take a group photo with everyone in it. That's something we've attempted, but failed, to do many times, because our reporters are always out and about, bringing the real China to our readers.

For me, the kick of getting a great quote still instantly removes the fatigue caused by traveling nonstop for hours or even days. My colleagues and I agree that without meeting people in person and taking time to earn their trust, there would be no way to get such quotes.

An employee at China's biggest Bible publisher and exporter, in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, told me that she sees the factory floor as "a Holy Sea of Bibles".