Sentry dies after 32 years on duty

According to the county government, Wang said he always believed the island was an inalienable part of China. He promised to protect it always. It's a promise he kept. None of his four predecessors stayed longer than 13 days before quitting because of the harsh conditions.

Forty-eight days after he was stationed on the island, Wang's wife came to visit with their daughter. They were trapped there by a typhoon and the woman was unable to sleep because of the sound of crashing waves.

She then determined to look after her husband, so she quit her job, left her daughter with her mother-in-law and went back to the island.

The county government's tribute said the couple raised the Chinese national flag every day on the island, monitored sea and air conditions, rescued people at sea and kept records in the coastal defense log.

In 1987, Wang's wife gave birth to a son on the island. The couple delivered the child themselves.

Constrained by their sense of responsibility, the couple only reunited with their family during five Spring Festivals in the past 32 years.

Now, solar energy and wind power generate electricity on the island. Television, air conditioning and other household appliances are available. The barracks have been renovated and equipped with bathrooms.

The couple successfully planted trees and vegetables in the gaps between rocks, gradually turning a barren island green. It had truly become home.