The life of 'chief officers' on Nansha Island

Every barrier reef on Nansha Island has a chief officer. During the exclusive interviews with People's Daily, the officers gave a vivid account of their war preparations, training as well as life on China's southernmost Nansha Island.

Zhang Wei – chief officer of Huayang Reef

As China's southernmost reef, officers and soldiers on Huayang Reef must be on high alert against any possible war. Everyone must stay alert on duty, train vigorously and be ready to defend the country at any moment.

Every condition on the reef is good except for the vegetables, which will not last long. Soldiers and officers there learn to grow bean sprouts, make bean curd and cultivate vegetables.

Because vegetables are in short supply and their meat is flavorless after a long stay in the freezer, they usually added more chili to the dishes to give them some flavor. That is to say, soldiers and officers must learn to eat spicy food.

Gan Wenbin – chief officer of Zhubi Reef

Zhubi Reef is the northernmost reef among all Nansha Reefs and the situation of its surrounding areas is complicated.

Nothing special happened during their duty there. They raised pigeons on the reef. There were only three when they got on the reef, and number now is around 40 after breeding. The pigeons fly over the reef and the surrounding areas, bringing more fun to them.

The time for soldiers and officers to be relieved from the garrison is growing near. They are feeling gratified and proud to have fulfilled the mission. After they complete the term of service, some of them will get married and some will go home to reunite with families. Their happiness was evident in their words and manner.

Chen Wenfu – chief officer of Dongmen Reef

When soldiers are on sentry duty, besides a gun and bullets, they also carry a walkie-talkie, a torch, which is used to light up the ocean, and a whistle for sending out signals. Meanwhile, these methods are also a kind of deterrent force and self defense.

Anti-surprise-attack and frogman training are included in their preparations to improve the overall quality of soldiers and officers. Soldiers can get ready for a possible war in the shortest time. Due to the shortage of soldiers, all personnel on the reef can be assigned to various duties. Every one is able to use all kinds of weapons and be competent at various tasks.

Chen Ruyi – chief officer of Chigua Reef

Chen joined the reef garrison troops upon graduation from Nanchang Army College. This is the eighth time for him to defend the reef.

Almost all the reef officers have gotten married, but Chen does not have a girlfriend yet. He is not worried and concentrates more on guarding the reef. His family did not understand what life was like on the reef and even thought guarding the reef would make people lose their minds. But Chen told his family that was not true and they came to support him.

Wen Xiaobo – chief officer of Nanxun Reef

Nanxun Reef is better known for its harsh natural conditions. The reef is only 200 meters from the deep sea, and the wind and waves are the highest here. From July to January next year, strong winds can break the rope chain of the small boat coming to the reef for supply.

There was no sandbank near Nanxun Reef in 2000, but now the sandbank has grown by more than 100 meters. The shape of the sandbank changes with the monsoon: it more looks like a crescent moon in southwest monsoon season and a comma in southeast monsoon season.

There are many sea birds on the sandbank. Once there was a sea turtle, and the soldiers set it free.

It seldom, if ever, forms a sandbank there, and the solders once tried to plant red mangrove on the sandbank.

Author: Zhu Xixiong People's Daily, August 13, 2010
Translator: Zhang Xinyi