The winter sun cast a serene and warm glow over the Wan-Dian River in the remote southwestern frontier of the motherland, creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. On the afternoon of December 25th, the Border Joint Defense Post in Xinhe Village, Wan-Dian Town, Ruili City, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, was filled with warmth as it welcomed a special guest - Provincial Party Secretary Wang Ning, who came to offer his sincere greetings and appreciation to the cadres and masses who have long been steadfastly guarding the border frontline. On December 25th, Wang Ning visited the Border Joint Defense Post in Xinhe Village, Ruili's Wan-Dian Town, where he gained a detailed understanding of the multi-dimensional border control situation, conveyed his regards to representatives of the Party, government, military, police, and civilian personnel involved in strengthening border defense and securing the frontiers, and shook hands and conversed with Li Honggang, a nationally recognized outstanding border affairs officer. Photo by Lei Tongsu.

Wan-Dian Town in Ruili City, separated from Myanmar by just a river, boasts a border line stretching 28.646 kilometers; it is a famous city from the War of Resistance and a crucial frontier town. In this land, strengthening border defense and securing the frontiers has never been the task of a few, but a shared responsibility deeply ingrained in the blood of every border resident. Seventy-nine-year-old border affairs officer Li Honggang is one of the many guardians of the border. During that day's慰问活动, he was also one of the local representatives from the Party, government, military, police, and civilians involved in strengthening border defense. "I never expected the Provincial Party Secretary to chat with us about everyday life," Li Honggang remarked, still moved by the scene during the慰问. From the difficulties of guarding the border for 48 years, to his current living conditions, down to details like how much land his family farms, what jobs his children do, and the amount of his post subsidy, Wang Ning asked meticulously and listened attentively. Noticing the elderly man had difficulty standing, Wang Ning specially found him a stool and engaged in a cordial conversation.

Since officially becoming a foreign affairs border officer in 1977, Li Honggang has dedicated 48 years to the role, including 30 years of voluntary border guarding without remuneration, for which he was honored with the title of "National Outstanding Border Affairs Officer" in 2021. Standing among the crowd, Li Honggang's empty right sleeve was particularly noticeable in the breeze. Despite becoming physically disabled due to an accident in his youth, his resolve to protect the border line never wavered. For 48 years, he has consistently traveled between boundary markers, becoming a solid bridge and warm link in mediating border disputes and maintaining the Pauk-Phaw friendship between China and Myanmar. "Thank you, I salute you!" After finishing his conversation with Li Honggang, Wang Ning shook his hand and repeatedly instructed local cadres to ensure they care for and guarantee the livelihoods of the border guardians. "This is tremendous recognition for us frontier guardians. I will persist until the day I can no longer stand guard," Li Honggang said, unable to conceal the excitement in his voice.

Forty-one-year-old Tang Maguo is a villager from the Guangdong村民小组 of Mangbang Village Committee. Born and raised on the border, the simple belief passed down through generations – "herding cattle and farming is patrolling and guarding the border, guarding the border is guarding our home" – has long been etched in her heart. "How many people are in your family?" "How many mu of land do you farm?"... Faced with Wang Ning's亲切的询问, Tang Maguo also opened up: "There are four people in my family; my husband works in transportation at construction sites, and our two children are in school. I manage over ten mu of land myself, growing rice, corn, and aromatic tobacco." In recent years, through hard work, Tang Maguo and her husband have built a thriving life – they now live in a bright two-story house and even own a family car. Her tone was full of unmistakable contentment and happiness. "We will protect the land passed down from our elders and hand it down generation after generation."

The duty force for the section managed by the Tuanjie小组 Border Joint Defense Post in Xinhe Village consists of 9 people, including 7 full-time joint defense members, 1 rotational joint defense member, and 1 post chief. Together with the broad masses of villagers, militia, and other forces, they form a solid and extensive barrier. Display boards in the post's courtyard recorded the hardships of past working conditions: rampant poisonous insects, venomous snakes, relying solely on fires for warmth... Today, however, a modernized "human defense, physical defense, technical defense" integrated border control system has been established. This serves as a microcosm of the multi-dimensional border control system construction in Dehong Prefecture. In recent years, Dehong Prefecture has actively explored new models for border management and control, achieving historic improvements in its capabilities. Behind all this lies the day-and-night perseverance and loyal dedication of the vast number of border guardians.

Wang Ning emphasized that guarding the border for the nation is a glorious mission and a significant responsibility; it is essential to continuously enhance the capacity and level of border control, severely crack down on cross-border illegal crimes, jointly strengthen border defense and secure the frontiers, and protect the sacred territory. He demanded that Party committees and governments at all levels care for and show concern for personnel stationed at the furthest frontlines of the border, promptly resolve their urgent difficulties and worries, and promote prosperity among border residents and in border areas. During the慰问, Wang Ning, on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, extended New Year greetings to everyone and expressed his high respect for the hard work and sacrifices made by the vast number of border guardians and cadres across the province, who give up their small families for the greater family.

As dusk gathered, the Wan-Dian River flowed quietly, and lights along its banks gradually lit up – each and every peaceful light serves as the most profound solace for the border guardians.