Wang Jicai, former head of the militia post on Kaishan Island in East China's Jiangsu province, spent 32 years guarding the island post with his wife since 1986. Wang died of a sudden illness while on duty at the age of 58. His spirit of dedication has influenced new militiamen that are sent to guard the island. Take a look!
The first batch of 10 militiamen guarding the Kaishan Island have completed their task and handed over to the second batch of 18 militiamen on Wednesday. Kaishan Island is located near the border area of the Japanese and South Korean high seas, 12 kilometers away from Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. Measuring just 0.013 square kilometers in area, life on the sparse island is extremely hard.
The post of Kaishan Island militia sentry was created in 1985, when the previous troops stationed there withdrew because of a military reorganization. The Guanyun government then had sent over 10 militiamen to the island, but they all left within days except Wang Jicai.
Wang Jicai Former militia sentry post director on Kaishan Island
Kaishan Island is a small island
but an important outpost in Lianyungang
It is of great significance
And we have to keep raising the national flag
on the island every morning
Wang Jicai came to the island in 1986, followed by his wife, Wang Shihua, who quit her job as a teacher to move with her husband. The couple's daily life consists mainly of raising the national flag, monitoring the sea and air, rescuing people who stray into the surrounding waters, and maintaining coastal defense logs. They have only spent five Spring Festivals with their families in the past 30 years. Wang died of a sudden illness while on duty at the age of 58 on July 27, 2018. After Wang’s death, hundreds of people in Guanyun county has asked to guard the island. Wang’s wife was then appointed as the honorary head of the militia post on Kaishan Island.
Wang Shihua Honorary director of the militia post on Kaishan Island
We can do a good job guarding Kaishan Island
and carry forward the spirit of my husband
In the past year of guarding the island
we have all worked hard
I want to thank you all
and salute you all
Sun Xuezhi sentry of the militia post on Kaishan Island
We promise to the people and the motherland
that we will study the spirit of Wang Jicai
and fulfill the duty of guarding Kaishan Island
The second batch of militiamen guarding Kaishan Island
Motherland, you have my promise
please be assured
