Port outpost: I guard the national gate on the Silk Road - visit the Khorgos Border Guard Company's national gate outpost team of a border defense regiment of the Xinjiang Military Region in midsummer, and the reporter visits the Khorgos Border Guard Company's national gate outpost team of a border defense regiment of the Xinjiang Military Region in midsummer. At around 10am, the sun was glaring, scorching the straight and wide patrol road on the Gobi Desert. Along the way to the south, tender yellow camel thorn flowers scattered on the gravel. Entering the camp, you are greeted by a nearly 20 meter high watchtower. Due to the hot weather, dense grasshoppers climb over the exterior walls of the watchtower, as if covering them with a hard layer of yellow brown "armor". At the checkpoint, Sergeant Kong Siyuan held a counter and kept his eyes fixed on the direction of Shuangxi Highway, afraid of missing any passing vehicles. At this moment, the heat wave was rolling in the watchtower, with temperatures approaching 40 ℃, and beads of sweat as big as beans rolled down his cheeks. After noon, the number of vehicles passing through customs gradually increased, and more than a thousand vehicles could leave the country in a day Pointing to the endless flow of vehicles and bustling domestic and foreign merchants, Kong Siyuan proudly introduced to the reporter that in the past decade, the country's borders have been updated by 6 generations, and the watchtowers have been replaced 8 times. Standing on the sentry tower and looking through the telescope, you can clearly see the junction of the Sino Kazakhstan section of the Shuangxi Highway and the Khorgos railway port. When the reporter looked into the distance, he saw many tall buildings and streets full of tourists - Khorgos was no longer like the desolate Gobi Desert in the old days. Kong Siyuan's hometown is in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, which is a strong pivot city at the intersection of the "the Belt and Road". In his childhood memories, one cargo ship after another set sail and docked. Today, he continues to witness the great changes brought about by the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" along roads and railways. Previously, most of the transportation exports were forklifts and excavators, but now new energy vehicles and wind turbine blades have become the main export entities Kong Siyuan said, "Since the initiative of jointly building the 'Silk Road Economic Belt' was put forward, the Shuangxi Highway has been unblocked, the China EU trains have been more frequent, and the implementation of 24-hour customs clearance has injected strong momentum into economic development." Khorgos is located in the northwest of Xinjiang, at the end of Lianhuo Expressway, an important transportation artery of the the Belt and Road Eurasian Continental Bridge, and also an important node in the core area of China's Silk Road Economic Belt. For many years, the officers and soldiers of Khorgos Border Guard Company stationed here have guarded the "golden passage" that China has opened to the west. In the past, there were only dirt roads here, with sandstorms and gravel everywhere. Officers and soldiers patrolling and on duty often had blisters on their soles. Nowadays, asphalt roads have replaced dirt roads, and all terrain patrol vehicles and sled motorcycles have settled at the border, greatly improving the efficiency of duty As a veteran, Staff Sergeant Chen Guichuan has witnessed the vigorous development of the "the Belt and Road" and the changes in company construction. The sunshine in northern Xinjiang is scorching. In the past, standing at the whistle for a whole day would make my face and neck peel from the sun Sitting in the patrol car, watching the newly renovated steel frame watchtower and duty board room, Chen Guichuan happily told the reporter that the conditions for duty are no longer the same as before, and they will definitely get better and better. In order to improve and upgrade the guarantee conditions, we must strengthen our responsibility and guard the forefront of the country... "In the afternoon, the outdoor heat wave rolled, and the surface temperature was nearly 60 ℃; In the study room, a heated discussion on the "New Era Struggle Concept" with the theme of "Striving to Build a Strong Army and Strive to Be the Guardian of the National Gate" is taking place. On stage, Sergeant Liu Qiang passionately shared his experience of rooting himself in his position and striving to become successful. Previously, he participated in martial arts competitions multiple times and broke the original 5-kilometer armed off-road record of the Lanzhou Military Region, and was awarded second-class merit. In 2022, Liu Qiang was transferred to the Khorgos Border Guard Company due to the task needs. He said, "If I can't stand up straight, I won't go to the national gate. If I can't stand up well, I won't be a national gate soldier. Youth is for struggle, and I will do my best to do every job to the extreme. This is my goal of struggle." Due to years of competition on the battlefield, Liu Qiang's comprehensive quality is excellent, and he is capable of patrolling, patrolling, and guarding duty. But when faced with high-tech duty equipment, he was a bit clueless at first. In order to improve his border patrol capabilities as soon as possible, Liu Qiang humbly sought advice from his comrades and asked questions if he didn't know how to learn or understand. Hard work pays off. After a period of tempering, he became a recognized duty model in the company. It's never too late to start again at any time, and always stride forward with the posture of a new recruit Nowadays, Liu Qiang has grown into a squad leader, patrolling the border with batches of soldiers. My first audience for the lecture was veterans who returned to visit the company... "The company's tour guide, Private Wang Sicheng, continued to speak on stage. After joining the army, he studied broadcasting and hosting during his university years and utilized his own strengths to actively apply for the task of explaining in the company's honor room. Faced with a thick stack of explanatory notes, Wang Sicheng once wanted to back down, but whenever he thought of the hard work of the older generation of border guards, he regained confidence and self motivation, working overtime every day to memorize relevant content until he became familiar with it. This is the best explanation I have ever heard After the explanation, Wang Sicheng received praise from the retired soldiers and couldn't help but blush in his eyes. Yin Hao, a cadre of the company, told reporters that in their daily work, they distinguish between different positions and job levels, and set specific and clear goals based on their own actual situation; After carrying out major tasks and completing major martial arts competitions and assessments, a "Record in Company History" activity will be held, and commemorative items will be promptly placed in the company honor room for display; Regularly carry out activities such as showcasing honor medals and telling stories of struggle. The changes in the platoon are closely related to the development of the times. Without the rapid development of the country, there would be no leapfrog upgrading of the platoon's infrastructure Yin Hao said that the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" not only prospered the towns along the line, but also enriched the life of officers and soldiers. In a few days, Du Qingsong, a second level sergeant and the leader of the National Frontier Team, will soon celebrate his wedding anniversary with his lover. During his break time, he carefully selected gifts for his lover. "This is the cosmetics and daily necessities I bought for her in an import and export trade center at the port. Although Khorgos is not big, the joint construction of the the Belt and Road has connected us with the world." Du Qingsong said. From border towns to open ports, today's Khorgos is full of merchants, traffic, tourists and prosperity. Khorgos Port has become a transportation hub and comprehensive multi-functional port integrating highway, railway, pipeline, aviation, optical cable and mail. Generations of officers and soldiers are guardians, witnesses, participants and beneficiaries. China's speed and strength make them feel proud. Amidst the clouds and the setting sun, another group of officers and soldiers who had changed their sentries climbed up to the watchtower, holding their heads high and their chests high, full of energy. Not far away, the seven big characters "People's Republic of China" on the border of the country are even more dazzling under the golden afterglow... (Xinhua News Agency)