Wu Bing thought he had left the rural life behind when he
volunteered to join the Chinese army.
But like many of his company posted to remote Jinji Mountain on
the border with Vietnam, he is finding that the People's Liberation
Army (PLA) is just as adept at making farmers out of soldiers as
they other way round.
North of the Jinji military camp, a winding road on the hillside
leads to a small farm garden.
"I didn't expect a garden after traveling for hours over a bumpy
mountainous road to the camp," said Wu, a 19-year-old new
recruit.
The garden, built on the side of Jinji Mountain, was a piece of
barren wilderness 20 years ago, said Hu Xiaosi, leader of the PLA
company.
Because of its dangerous landform, Jinji Mountain, 511 meters
above sea level and a commanding height in the area, has been an
important border defence area since ancient times.
The conditions were very harsh at that time, Hu said. Since the
nearest town is more than an hour-long drive, fresh vegetables were
a luxury for the soldiers, he said.
So the soldiers made use of their spare time clear the weeds and
rocks and brought back soil in their satchels from their patrols,
Hu said.
The soil added up. With generations of servicemen's efforts, the
dusty land was became an oasis on desolate Jinji Mountain filled
with Mexican cactus, vegetables and herbs.
The PLA has a long tradition of feeding soldiers through their
own efforts. They often grow vegetables or fruit around the
barracks, and raise poultry and pigs.
The farm now covers more than 1,400 square meters, with 34 kinds
of vegetables and fruits, and provides the company fresh fruit and
vegetables all year round.
"Some of the seeds are from the Guangxi Agricultural Sciences
Institute and some were brought back by soldiers who go home on
vacation," said Hu.
Raised in the countryside in east China's Shandong province, Wu
had some farming experience before he joined the army because he
had to help with harvests.
Pointing to red roses blooming in a hand grenade box, Wu proudly
proclaimed himself the grower.
The garden has also become a leisure area for the soldiers
stationed here in the remote mountain. In one corner, stands a
kiosk about two meters high and covering 10 square meters stands,
with a small pool of fish in front of it.
"This is also the place for the soldiers to sit and relax," Hu
said.
Because of the restrictions of the company's location, life was
very monotonous: training and patrolling, he said.
Carving the rocks in the garden has become the most popular
activity among soldiers. At the east side of the garden lies a rock
with a map of China which connects the Jinji Mountain and Beijing
with a red line.
"I love this garden, it's full of life and fun," Wu said.
(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2007)