Zhu Jialong, who was recruited by Yunnan Baiyao's sales department in 1996 after graduation, saw this change as the best chance to develop his career.

"There was no longer an iron rice bowl mentality in the company. How much you earned depended on your diligence and ability. The principle is a death sentence to the lazy ones, but provided the best opportunity for me," said Zhu.

At Yunnan Baiyao Group, Zhu was responsible for sales in Hunan and Hubei provinces. "It was the most challenging area where more than 100 companies owed us for the payment of drugs," he said.

Now, as the director of the sales department, Zhu has improved the living standard of his family through hard work, and he seeks to help others. A few years ago, he donated tens of thousands of yuan to build a kindergarten in his village.

Zhu said: "Change must be there, as in the spirit of Yunnan Baiyao."

The company has continued to embrace change, meeting the boom in the market for cosmetics and exploring the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine by developing a range of products that contain the ingredients of its unique recipe.