'Steel Knife Team' at cutting edge of service

Lu's comrades also faced temptations, such as being offered watches that retailed for about 2 million yuan each, diamonds and iPhones.

Sometimes they were targeted by women who tried to avoid the customs checks by offering sexual favors, and smugglers who became emotional and threatened them with knives. The approaches were always reported and many smugglers were apprehended.

"We had to conduct ourselves honorably because we had a duty not to bring discredit to our squadron," Lu said.

In 2014, he took part in a rescue operation after mudslides in Shangri-La, Yunnan province. For eight days and nights, he cleaned up debris and helped to resettle people and their property.

"Before that, I had only seen disaster relief work on TV. I was worried about my safety and also nervous because it was the first such task I had undertaken," he said.

"I was shocked by the scene, where houses had collapsed and dead pigs floated in the water. I carried sandbags to build an embankment. It rained continuously and the sand mixed with the water in my uniform and kept rubbing my skin. We slept at the scene, which left us muddy and smelly."

He was impressed by, and proud of, the local people. They gave the PAP officers a warm welcome and even brought baskets of boiled eggs, which they handed out to the exhausted rescuers.

Lu, from Qujing, Yunnan, joined the PAP because he admired his older brother, who is also member of the force.

His parents disagreed with his decision because they didn't think he could endure the hardship. They had spoiled him a little at home and wouldn't even let him do farm work.

"On my first day at the PAP base, I kind of agreed with my parents. I was required to get up at 6:20 am, but I felt I couldn't open my eyes that early. The physical training was also beyond my ability. I didn't quit, though, because it had been my choice," he said.

In 2018, he was transferred to another team in the detachment, but he believes his eight years in the squadron made him a new person and helped him discover his own worth.

"I gave up smoking and I became part of the most treasured brotherhood in the PAP. Now I am serving in another squadron, and I will pass on that spirit to new recruits wherever I am," he said.