'Iron Mouth' but gentle approach

He Zhenghai (right) negotiates with an Indian soldier. Geng Shixiong / for China Daily

The shepherd fears his sheep have migrated to India and hurries to see border guard He Zhenghai, 28.

"We must take the initiative to communicate with the Indian soldiers," He says of the problem. "It is much easier to solve small problems between friends."

He is fluent in English, which not only qualifies him as a negotiator, but has also earned him the nickname "Iron Mouth" among his comrades.

After graduating from the People's Liberation Army Institute of International Relations as an English major, in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, He was assigned to a frontier post in Tibet as an interpreter, in 2006. Two years later, he arrived in Gamba.

He says he doesn't envy his other academy classmates, who now serve in more prosperous parts of the country.

"Everywhere is my home turf," He says. "I feel attached to Tibet after many years of service here. If I had to work somewhere else, maybe it would take time to adapt to things there too."

"There you may have speedy highways and big cities, but I enjoy my own tranquil path. The most important goal is to realize your personal value."

For He, the best posting for a soldier during peacetime is to serve on the border. He has earned a first-class merit award from the People's Liberation Army for his outstanding achievements and modestly credits this to his diligence.

His biggest problem, it seems, is finding love.

After making the most of his two-month annual vacations, he did meet a girl from his hometown in Guangyuan, Sichuan province. But they broke up when she chose not to wait for him to return full time from his frontier post duties, which could last another 10 years.

"I don't blame her, but I expect a woman who loves me to support me in my job," he says.

"Anyway, I'm not too old to hope," he adds, wiping away the tears.

As a commander, in addition to patrol and negotiation, He supervises the troops, checking their dormitories at night and ensuring their well-being.

"It's exhausting sometimes," He says.

Most of his troops are in their teens or have just turned 20 and though some people say this generation is self-centered, He disagrees.

"In my company, they are more confident than my generation, which means we have to respect their personalities - as long as they obey orders."

He has a lot in common with his troops, such as fashion and music.

"Even so, most of the songs I can hum along to are from at least five years ago when I used to go to karaoke with friends," he sighs.

"And I can only wear fashionable clothes during vacations."