What does an interpreter who worked many times in the Golden Triangle region along the Mekong River have in common with a policewoman sent by China's Ministry of Public Security to investigate cases in a foreign country? They are the same person — Yi Yanjiao, from the Public Security Bureau of Xishuangbanna Dai Ethnic Prefecture, in Southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Between 2000 and 2003, Yi studied in the Spring Bud girls' class of Kunming Girls' High School, in Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province. As she looks back on her development path, she says the support she received from the Spring Bud Project inspired her to overcome difficulties, and to step out of the Dai ethnic village and embark on a wonderful lifelong journey.

Her family's difficult situation once left Yi feeling confused about her future. The project, however, lifted her out of that situation, and gave her the chance to study in high school.

As she looks back on her time in the girl's class, Yi says it was the happiest period of her life. "During my senior year of high school, before the college-entrance examination, the school gave each of us an extra bag of milk, or soymilk, and fresh fruit every day, to ensure our daily nutritional intake. The school also bought some nutritional foods for us now and then," she says. 

Yi cherished her valuable opportunity to study, and she performed well academically. After her graduation, she was admitted to Yunnan Minzu University, in Kunming, to study the Thai language.

When asked why she chose the Thai language as her major, Yi says her hometown is adjacent to Thailand, so she figured learning the Thai language would be helpful during her search for employment, and would help her better serve her hometown after graduation. 

In 2007, Yi joined the Public Security Bureau of Xishuangbanna Dai Ethnic Prefecture. As a new police officer, Yi studied and worked hard to enhance her professional competence. Step by step, she became an expert, in the bureau, on affairs related to Thailand.

She has served as an interpreter during important foreign affairs conferences and activities. She has also been selected, several times, by the Yunnan Provincial Public Security Department to interpret during sessions of the Forum of Presidents of Police Academies in China and ASEAN Countries and the Roundtable on Law Enforcement Capacity Building. 

The assignment that impressed Yi most was investigating — she was one of the first investigators on the scene — the crime scene of the Mekong River attack, in which 13 Chinese sailors were murdered in October 2011 by a Myanmar drug ring.

"That was the closest I've ever been to danger, or death. Our situation was dangerous … But I was determined to live up to the oath of loyalty that I took when I joined the police," she says.

In 2016, Yi participated in a special action. Lasting more than eight months, it was the longest business trip she had ever taken. She didn't even have time to say goodbye to her family before she departed.

Yi has been assigned countless tasks, and she has received many awards for her outstanding performance; for example, receiving second-class merit, twice; third-class merit, once; and, being named outstanding civil servant, four times. 

When asked about such honors, she says, "That's what I'm supposed to do, and the completion of each task is inseparable from collective efforts."

Yi's husband is also a police officer. "Because of the nature of our work, we are always apart from each other. But since we share the same profession, we are more able to understand, tolerate and support each other. We are partners, both at work and in life," Yi says, as her face lights up with happiness.

Yi and her husband have been on foreign affairs missions together. They have worked well together, and they have completed their tasks smoothly. Their family has been selected a National Civilized Family, a National Five-Virtue Family and a National Most Beautiful Family throughout the years.

"I will stick to my original aspiration as a Party member and a police officer. I will do my best to give back to society. I will also work hand in hand with my husband to safeguard the happiness of our family, while safeguarding the safety and happiness of other families," Yi says. 

Photo Supplied by CCTF

(Women of China English Monthly March 2023 issue)