BEIJING: Granny Nyima, a 79-year-old woman from North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, was honoured with the title of “Model Individual for National Ethnic Unity and Progress” on Friday for her efforts to safeguard the border, Capital News reported.

Living in a village just 11 kilometers from the China-Mongolia border, Granny Nyima has dedicated more than half a century to border patrol, with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson following in her footsteps.

At the age of 25, Nyima heeded the nation’s call in 1971, becoming one of the first border guards in the Alshaa League following the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Over the years, she has patrolled the border, walking a distance of over 180,000 kilometres, successfully preventing nearly 1,000 instances of unauthorised crossings by people.

Her unwavering dedication earned her the nicknames “Living Boundary Stone”.

The daily routine of border patrol is very simple, Nyima said.

During the day, she and her son herd camels while keeping a vigilant eye on the border and begin to patrol at 5 in the evening.

Despite the harsh natural environment, Nyima remains resolute in her mission.

What’s the reason for it? “As a member of the Communist Party of China, it is my duty to protect the border of my motherland. I need to honour the promise I made — this is my belief!” she said.

Continuing the family legacy, Nyima’s grandson joined the Alshaa League Border Management Brigade as an auxiliary police officer after graduating from university, committed to safeguarding the same border his grandmother and parents have protected for decades.