Vlogger Revives Faded 'Serve the People' Slogan in Gobi Desert

Caption: The before-and-after shots of the restored slogan.

A viral video showing a Bilibili creator driving more than 2,000 kilometers to repair a damaged "Serve the People" slogan in the Gobi Desert has sparked widespread discussion and official attention.

The creator, Lu Yao, who goes by @略靠谱攻略 (Ergou) online, documented his nine-day effort to rebuild the five-character landmark in Hami, Xinjiang – originally laid out in the 1960s by the 8th Aviation School of the PLA Air Force as a navigation marker for pilots.

Within days of its release, the video topped Bilibili's trending chart, amassing more than 7 million views and 50,000 bullet comments. Many viewers called the act "deeply moving" and "a tribute to the spirit of the times."

"Through his persistence, he has brought to life a part of our Air Force's history," the PLA Air Force's official account commented under the video.

Caption: Official accounts of the PLA Air Force and the China National Space Administration left thank-you messages under Ergou's video.

The site, located deep in the desert, was created when pilots often struggled to orient themselves amid the vast, featureless terrain.

"Our navigation director designed 30 giant characters – each 50 meters wide – carved into the sand using shovels and boards," recalled Han Zheng, a former trainee at the 8th Aviation School, in an interview with CCTV. "They guided flight training and inspired generations of Air Force personnel."

Caption: The slogan was created in the 1960s by the 8th Aviation School of the PLA Air Force. At the time, the surrounding Gobi had no landmarks, and pilots often got disoriented when approaching the base, recalled former trainee Han Zheng.

"We carved them into the ground using shovels and wooden boards over eight days."

Over the years, sandstorms and tire tracks had damaged parts of the historic site.

"I don't understand why someone would destroy something so beautiful," Lu said in his video.

Caption: Tire tracks and sandstorms have damaged the decades-old slogan over the years.

Out of respect for this legacy, Lu drove from Chengdu to Hami to inspect the site in person. What he found was distressing – tire marks and drifting scars between the characters "Ren" and "Min (people)."

Determined to restore it, he gathered friends and volunteers and sourced matching black gravel from nearby terrain. After several days of careful work, they filled the ruts and restored the damaged section.

Caption: Starting with just two friends, more volunteers later joined the project.

To confirm the result, Lu contacted Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co for help. According to Wang Yazhou interviewed by Xinhua news agency, director of the company's marketing department, they were moved by Lu's request and decided to provide free technical support as "a way to serve the country through technology."

On September 28 at 12:45 pm, one of the company's Jilin-1 satellites captured a fresh image of the restored slogan – clear and complete once again.

Lu posted the full video online on October 10, quickly drawing millions of views and thousands of comments. The official PLA Air Force account replied.

"The People's Air Force serves the people, and the people love the People's Air Force. Thank you!" The brief message received tens of thousands of likes, with many calling it "a vivid example of unity between the military and the public."

Netizens flooded his comment section with the same five words – "Serve the People" – echoing the message that first inspired him.

Caption: When the before-and-after images appeared, thousands of bullet comments flooded the screen – all reading the same five words: "Serve the People."

Authorities in Hami have launched an investigation into the vandalism. Officials said those involved have been questioned, and plans are underway for full restoration and long-term protection of the site.