In the northernmost part of China, nestled against the northern slopes of the Yinshan Mountains, lies the unique landscape of the Bayannur Border Management District in Inner Mongolia. This area showcases the vast grasslands, the integration of various ethnic groups, bustling border trade, and the stark challenges of a semi-arid environment.

Recently, I visited the 369-kilometer stretch along the China-Mongolia border in Bayannur City, meeting with border protectors such as border guards, local officials, police, and herders. I listened to their compelling stories about safeguarding our nation’s frontier.

Driving north toward Ulat Front Banner, I marveled at the expansive grasslands, seemingly a giant yellow canvas stretching for miles. The tranquility and vastness create a profound sense of awe, but the remoteness, poor transportation, and the scattered living conditions of herders pose significant challenges for development. Notably, over 60% of herders who remain in these areas are older, and the grassroots organizational strength is weak, highlighting a need for solutions.

To address these challenges, the Bayannur Border Counties have launched an innovative initiative called “Party-Government-Military-Police-People-Enterprise Collaboration.” This approach deeply integrates local Party committees, stationed border defense units, police stations, and community resources into efforts focused on border protection, rural revitalization, and ecological conservation, thereby strengthening our border defense.

In the golden autumn, with abundant rain, Ganga Batu, a member of the local Party committee in the Ganchi Mao Town of Ulat Front Banner, finally felt a sigh of relief. During the summers and autumns prior, he tirelessly traveled dozens of kilometers to support his neighbors, using patience and wisdom to alleviate the herders’ concerns about prolonged droughts.

“For herders, the Party member center serves as a solid support system. We often gather to share meals and address any emerging issues or neighborhood conflicts promptly,” said Ganga Batu.

Zhifeng Xiang, Deputy Director of the Organization Department for the Ulat Front Banner Committee, explained that the region has successfully integrated various resources from the “Party-Government-Military-Police-People-Enterprise” sectors, establishing a Joint Party Committee. This has led to the formation of a comprehensive Party network that spans the entirety of the region.

After a heavy rain, members of the Joint Party Committee, local officials, and business personnel rallied together in the Bayin Nuru Gacha to assist herders in locating their dispersed sheep.

“I just called the party member center, and to my surprise, so many people came to help. I’m really grateful,” said herder Nima.

“For years, our border counties have established a distinctive ‘School-Team-Vehicle-Residence-Industry’ Party-building model, ranging from setting up Party schools and mobile service teams to creating Party member centers and leading the development of specialized industries,” Baikana, Deputy Director of the Ulat Front Banner Committee Organization Department, elaborated.

In the expansive and sparsely populated jurisdiction of the Baointu Border Police Station, which covers 2,360 square kilometers and hosts only about 300 residents, the nearest herders must drive over a hundred kilometers for basic supplies. Thus, the police station has launched a direct supply vehicle service that addresses the needs of border herders by providing essential goods and medications consistently.

“Additionally, we’ve collaborated with Party branches to expand police presence in local towns, clearly explaining laws and legal risks that directly affect herders. This has significantly raised their legal awareness, reducing the illegal collection of wild herbs and improving issues like DUI,” Officer Chen Wenxiong remarked.

Guarding an 18.9-kilometer stretch of the border in the Bayin Qian Damensumu Gacha, the local herders primarily rely on raising Bactrian camels in a region facing severe desertification challenges.

How can we balance ecological protection with economic development in this border area?

“We’ve implemented a model of ‘Party Committee + Cooperative + Herders’ since 2021, focusing on piloting Salsola pestifer planting and the reintroduction of Cistanche deserticola in the Bayin Chagan Gacha. To date, we have replanted 6,000 acres of Salsola and successfully inoculated 7,000 acres with Cistanche,” shared Wang Lei, Deputy Secretary of the Bayin Qian Damensumu Committee.

“Salsola takes three years to mature, and as the grass flourishes and stabilization occurs, the reintroduction of Cistanche yields an income of about 1,000 to 1,500 yuan per acre,” Wang explained.

To restore greenery to the grasslands, a grazing ban has been instituted for desert areas. During this period, the community established Gobi Red Camel breeding operations, which provide an annual income of 2,900 yuan per camel for the herders.

“People used to say that cattle and sheep are a herder’s bank, but that mindset has shifted. Herders have transformed from being livestock caretakers to grassland stewards. By nurturing the grasslands well, our living environment has also improved,” said Zhang Yulan.