A special Chinese police office is situated deep in the Gobi Desert, in Alxa League, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, where China borders Mongolia. Xu Naichao, head of that office, is deputy head of Yingen township's border police station, under the Alxa Left Banner border management team, under Alxa League border management detachment, administered by Inner Mongolia Exit-Entry Frontier Border Inspection General Station. Xu's wife, Li Wenna, is an auxiliary police officer. The couple adheres firmly to the belief that safeguarding the motherland means safeguarding their home. They also believe dedicating themselves to their work is the best way to serve their country.
Desolate, yet Magnificent
Xu was born in Inner Mongolia in 1991. He joined the armed police border defense force in 2008. While he was serving in the army, he was awarded both the UN (United Nations) Peace Medal of Honor and the Chinese Peacekeeper Medal of Honor.
In 2019, after the institutional reform of the country's public security troops, Xu became a police officer of the border police station in Alxa League, under the administration of the National Immigration Administration.
In 2022, planning began to build a new police office to serve the border area in Alxa League.
Police officers there would shoulder the mission of border management in a 3,000-plus-square-kilometer administrative region, which includes more than 100 kilometers of borderline.
Xu applied to work in the new office. But, at the same time, he wondered how he should break that news to his wife.
Xu and Li were introduced to each other in 2020. They soon fell in love and wed in 2021. Li was an auxiliary police officer with the Public Security Bureau of Alxa Left Banner. Xu worked in a border police station about 270 kilometers from his wife's workplace. Back then, they had to travel across the boundless desert to visit each other. The new police office, where Xu hoped to work, would be even more remote. Would Li still support Xu?
When Xu told Li about his decision, she was silent, but only for a few seconds. She then said to him, "That's fine! Though it would be harder to meet you…" To Xu's surprise, a few days later, his wife told him, "I have decided to go with you. If you want to safeguard the border, I will safeguard you."
In February 2022, Xu and Li relocated to the new office, and they became the first police couple in Inner Mongolia who would be serving in the same border management office. They have since dedicated themselves to safeguarding the desolate, yet magnificent, border region in Alxa League.
Warmth of Being a Family
Li hung their wedding photo on the wall of the police office. She said the place, which is filled with love, would be their new home. Xu has said his wife has brought the warmth of being a family to the desolate land, so they could cope with strong winds and sand, as well as with loneliness.
As part of their daily work schedule, they often leave the office to patrol the border area early in the morning. After they return, around dusk, they make tea and cook dinner. They also check the materials and devices they will take with them the next day.
In addition to being husband and wife, Xu and Li are the best work partners for each other. They visit residents' homes together. They also cooperate perfectly as they complete the various chores, such as cooking, checking the kitchenware, repairing their house, and maintaining their vehicle. They have spent considerable time adapting themselves to the tough living conditions in the desert. Fortunately, they have always supported and taken care of each other.
Meeting Herdsmen's Needs
An important aspect of a border police officer's work is enhancing connections with people. Since Xu and Li began working at the office in Yingen, they have visited herdsmen's homes to learn about their needs, and the difficulties they face. They have tried their best to meet residents' needs, and help improve the residents' lives.
Li studied medical science in college. To provide more convenient medical services to herdsmen, Xu applied to establish a clinic (administered by the police office) for the region. To help residents who grow herbs increase their incomes, they contact buyers, so the residents can receive more orders. For some herdsmen, whose children, or other relatives, do not live in their hometown, Xu and Li often visit their homes to help care for their livestock. Many of the residents have said they consider the police couple as "close family members."
To better serve the people, Xu and Li helped establish a clinic, a library, a shop and an express-delivery site, all based in the police office. While safeguarding the border area, they have helped herdsmen obtain better access to resources, such as water, roads and the Internet.
Affected by the couple's dedication to their work, residents bring firewood, drinking water and home-cooked dumplings to the police office to express their gratitude for the couple. Encouraged by Xu and Li, an increasing number of herdsmen have helped patrol the border, making their contributions to protecting the territory of their motherland.
Cradle in Police Office
In June 2023, a baby girl became the newest member of Xu and Li's family. Their daughter, Xu Ruoxi, was born. The couple gave their daughter a nickname, Momo. The character 漠 ("mo") means desert. It stands for the desert in Alxa League, where the family has taken root.
Li lived with her parents during her maternity leave. She thought about her husband and their work in their police office during her leave. In November 2023, she took Momo with her when she returned to the office. She says there is a home filled with love and persistence deep in the desert.
Last year, 2025, was a fruitful year for Xu and Li. The family was named a National Civilized Family, and then, a Most Beautiful Family. Xu Naichao received several honors, including China Youth May Fourth Medal, Role Model of Inner Mongolia's North Border, and Good Samaritan of Inner Mongolia. When asked about the honors, Xu Naichao says, "I am just an ordinary policeman, who does the most fundamental work of border management. I am grateful for the honors, and for the trust of our people."
Along the border, China has numerous police offices. Countless Chinese police officers adhere to their aspirations of being loyal to the Communist Party of China, and to the people they serve. They share the same belief: Safeguarding the motherland means safeguarding their home, and dedicating themselves to their work is the best way to serve their country.
Photos from Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly June 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
