Landmark repaired by a Chinese vlogger Photo: Jilin-1 satellites

Two perpetrators have been punished for their vandalism of a historic Gobi navigation marker in Hami, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the local authorities announced on Thursday. 

According to a statement released by the Hami City Yizhou District Forestry and Grassland Bureau, the relevant personnel for the case have been imposed with administrative penalties in accordance with the law and regulations. 

Investigation into the case has shown that in 2024 the perpetrator surnamed Zhang, whose online name is Xinjiang Pingtouge, and perpetrator surnamed Li, drove an off-road vehicle and unlawfully entered the “Serve the people” navigation marker area to perform drifting, causing substantial damage to the surface of the grassland in the region, the statement said. 

The behavior of the two perpetrators violated the Article 49 of China’s Grassland Law. Based on the facts, nature, circumstances, social harm, and relevant evidence, they were ordered to cease their illegal activities in accordance with the laws and regulations. Besides, Zhang and Li were fined 12,000 yuan ($1,684) and 8,000 yuan respectively. Neither of them had objections to the penalty, according to the statement. 

On Tuesday, Hami City Yizhou District Forestry and Grassland Bureau announced in a statement that the authority had investigated two suspects involved in the vandalism of the historic Gobi navigation marker. 

The vandalism to the “Serve the people” navigation marker in Qincheng township, Hami has recently drawn widespread public attention, according to the statement. 

According to the third national land survey, the area is classified as other grassland, it said. 

The Hami City Yizhou District Forestry and Grassland Bureau launched an investigation into this incident, conducted multiple inquiries with the two suspects surnamed Zhang and Li. The bureau also organized law enforcement personnel and experts for an on-site inspection, along with a third-party surveying company for field surveying, the statement said. 

The investigation found that in 2024, Zhang and Li drove an off-road vehicle and recklessly drifted across the slogan, damaging the grassland surface in the area and leaving circular tire tracks. 

The investigation and evidence collection have been completed, and the case is being processed. The results will be disclosed to the public in due course. 

In the Gobi Desert, massive slogans such as “Serve the people” and “Seize the day” were laid out in the 1960s by People’s Liberation Army soldiers to provide ground reference points for flight training, leaving an indelible mark of the era with profound historical significance, according to media reports. 

Earlier this month, a Chinese vlogger spotted the vandalized “Serve the people” landmark via satellite maps and drove 2,000 kilometers to restore it. His action ignited widespread praise, media reported. 

Global Times