Forum bridges campus and border realities

A lecture hall at Tsinghua University buzzed with energy in September as three uniformed officers from the Dehong border management detachment in Yunnan province took the stage.

Behind them, striking images flashed across the screen — narcotics hidden inside live ducks, hollowed-out dictionaries, and even steel bolts.

Students watched intently, captivated by the real-life accounts of China's anti-drug operations.

For Chen Nuo, a 22-year-old senior at Tsinghua, the lecture struck a personal chord. Growing up in Xichang, a city near the Yunnan border in Sichuan province, he had witnessed how drug-related crime once cast a shadow over his hometown.

"When I was a child, wanted posters related to drug cases were everywhere," Chen recalled. "People rarely went out after 9 pm because it was unsafe. But now, thanks to stronger law enforcement and legal education, peace has returned."

Having seen those changes firsthand, Chen said he has long admired the dedication of China's border police.

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The event was part of the university's Times Forum, its largest and most influential student-organized lecture series.

Founded in 2003 by the Student Union, the forum has held more than 430 sessions, featuring leaders from academia, business, government, culture, and sports.

This latest session invited three border officers — Zheng Zhaorui, Li Zhiwen, and Hu Di — who shared stories from the frontlines of drug enforcement along China's border with Myanmar, one of the world's key drug trafficking routes.

Their presence brought vivid, firsthand insight into the realities of border security and anti-narcotics work.

"Usually, I learn about police work from social media or TV dramas," said Fang Jingrui, a 22-year-old PhD student. "But hearing from real officers was far more powerful."

Fang was particularly impressed by the patience and precision behind each case.

"On screen, police work looks glamorous and fast-paced," he said. "In reality, it's a painstaking process — connecting tiny details like names, habits, and birth dates to catch suspects."

He Silei, another senior, noted that modern drug trafficking is also a battle of wits.

"With the rise of e-commerce and digital platforms, traffickers keep finding new ways to hide drugs — often in everyday objects," he said. "The police must innovate constantly to stay ahead."

For many students, the forum offered not only admiration, but also reflection.

"As students, we may not face the same danger, but we have our own responsibilities," Chen said. "For those of us in science and engineering, that means seeing research as a mission — a way to serve the nation."

"Patriotism isn't a slogan," said He. "It's something you live out — whether you're a police officer, a researcher, or a civil servant."

Looking ahead, students hope the Times Forum will continue to feature voices from the grassroots — such as village officials, public servants, and young researchers.

"Many graduates begin their careers at the community level," Chen said. "Learning from their experiences would be truly inspiring."

guojiatong@i21st.cn