By Robert Lawrence Kuhn

Xinjiang: a region that elicits controversy in the western world. Border: a geographical line that can cause disputes between neighboring countries. Combining Xinjiang and border, what is life like there? Closer to China goes deep into a border village in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to explore the unique story.

We observe the life of border guards who live and work there. They patrol the border; they keep yaks; they talk; they laugh. But when the pandemic comes; when disease befalls; when the eldest daughter leaves home for marriage — life changes.

As 2020 nears its end, Mametnur Guljamal, the eldest daughter of Mametnur Obulesen, will soon marry her fiancé. The couple are both border guards, after the wedding, they will work together in his patrol area.

To describe his job as a border guard, Mametnur Obulesen puts it this way: For herders like me living on the mountain pass, it's our duty to guard the border. While we fulfill our duty, the government cares for us. They provide a subsidy of 2,600 yuan per month and some living goods for each border guard. This job and this better life are created with their help. To pay them back, we put the stability of the border area as a priority.