Chinese soldiers vow to keep terrorists out
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E-mail CNTV, March 13, 2015
Terrorism has become an increasing threat in China. And during this year's political meetings in Beijing, the head of the Communist party in Xinjiang said the influence of Islamic State militants has reached China. To see how Chinese soldiers are fighting against terrorism, CCTV's Han Peng paid a visit to Xinjiang's Khunjerab, the border pass between China, Pakistan and Afghnistan.
Defending the gate to Xinjiang. These soldiers are on a regular patrol of one of China's most dangerous borders.
At an altitude of over 5,000 meters, snowstorms can just about bury a patrol -- even in summer.
Oxygen is less than 50% at sea level. Even breathing becomes a battle. This rugged –spectacular – terrain is a no-man-zone. This is where Chinese soldiers stand on never-ending guard against Jihad terrorists. 37-year-old Wang Yinghua has been patroling this area since he was 17 as a new recruit. He says the soldiers in this patrol risk their lives everyday.
"We are here to prevent terrorists from entering Chinese territory. We will also prevent people from China leaving to join terrorist groups," Wang said.
This sensitive area marks the confluence of borders shared by China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Terrorists targeting China set up training camps just outside Chinese sovereign territory. From there they inculcate extremists and concock plans for deadly attacks against unarmed civilians. The result -- some shockingly senseless, brutally bloody massacres.
When they're warned of pending danger, soldiers concealing themselves in a snow bunker. They might have to hold up their position for hours, until the alert is cleared. The extreme cold is another enemy, and many have suffered frostbite.
The thin air makes patroling with a gun, a backpack and a radio extemely arduous and enervating. Still they must search for any evidence of men with ill intent.
"In such a vast area, our chance to meet terrorists face to face is very small. So the signs of an old campfire, garbage or footprints are all useful clues indicating that some suspicious persons were there. That's why the same areas have to be patrolled on a daily bases, even if we had checked just yesterday," Wang said.
The Khunjerab Pass means the Valley of Death. Natural condition here is ferocious, and terrorists have never stopped attempts to sneak into China from here after being trained in countries like Afghanistan. With the US-led NATO forces withdrawing from that country, the future of the area will only become more uncertain.
But the danger doesn't end with Afghanistan. The influence of Islamic State militant group, has also reached China, according Xinjiang's Party Chief Zhang Chunxian.
"The Islamic State has exerted significant influence internationally, and Xinjiang isn't an exception to this. We have recently identified terrorist gangs in Xinjiang who planned attacks in the region after returning from fighting with the Islamic State," Zhang said.
Chinese soldiers vow to defend the safety of the people.
"No enemy can cross our border, no weapons can make their way in, and no terrorists can reach their target. These are not goals for us to achieve, they are the bottom line of our mission," Chinese soldier Huang Xiaoming said.
Now the global increase in terrorist threats has made these soldiers' job even harder. But it is something they appear well-prepared to face.
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