In July 1986, 26-year-old Wang Jicai was assigned to work on Kaishan Island, an outpost in the Yellow Sea. In the same year, his wife Wang Shihua quit her job as a teacher and accompanied him to guard the island. For more than three decades, the couple kept their daily routine with raising the national flag, patrolling, guarding and maintaining military facilities and civilian equipment, and rescuing fishing boats and fishermen.

WangJicai and his wife Wang Shihua on duty (Photo: Xinhua)

On July 27, 2018, Wang died of a sudden illness on duty at the age of 58.

"Lao Wang, don't worry, I will still raise the national flag every day to defend the island," Wang Shihua said. 

In August 2018, President Xi Jinping called for efforts in promoting the patriotism and dedication demonstrated by Wang Jicai.

Xi said the spirit of Wang Jicai should be pursued by hardworking people in the new era.

Wang resolutely stuck to his post without any complaint or regret, composing an extraordinary chapter in a life on an ordinary post, Xi said.

Xi asked for condolences and care for Wang's family, and said that for those who dedicate themselves to difficult posts for a long time like Wang, organizations at all levels should proactively help them overcome difficulties, and care for them more in their thoughts, work and lives.

(Compiled by Dong Feng)