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.