Chinese soldiers in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have successfully grown vegetables on the 4,050-meter-high plateau, despite having only three hours of sunshine each day. The soldiers are from a border defense troop stationed between the snowy mountains in Xinjiang's Kashi. Screenshot of video by People's Daily on Sina Weibo.

Chinese soldiers in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have successfully grown vegetables on the 4,050-meter-high plateau, despite having only three hours of sunshine each day.

The soldiers are from a border defense troop stationed between the snowy mountains in Xinjiang's Kashi.

Despite the lack of sunshine and cold weather, they set up greenhouses covered with thick cotton quilts, and managed to grow vegetables such as green beans, eggplants and mushrooms, all of which require high temperatures, humidity and sunshine. They have even been able to raise ducks.

To ensure a suitable temperature for the vegetables, they burn coal to heat up the greenhouse once every hour, the soldiers explained.

The output can basically meet the daily needs of the troop, who can then save up to buy more non-staple foodstuff.

Global Times