Virus-free environment

"The strict regulations are meant to safeguard the health of the children, as well as staff members on campus," Ming said.

"After a few weeks of adjustment, I think that we－parents, teachers and students－all agree that these measures are necessary to guarantee that the school will be a safe, virus-free place."

Two people have been assigned to conduct campuswide nucleic acid tests two or three times a week.

Each student has been assigned a digital code, so it only takes three hours to collect throat-swab specimens from the 800-plus people on the campus.

Geng always consults her English textbook while she waits in line on the playground to be tested.

"There are so many new words and phrases," she said. "I need to seize every minute."

She added that she often draws strength from a line her Chinese language teacher, Luo Ruyi, quoted in class.

"She told us that if we are not at liberty to ride on a calm expanse of ocean, we can always choose to sing against the tempest," Geng said.

She added that the pandemic raging across the world is akin to a devastating storm that everyone is bravely resisting.

While the risk of the virus has not been entirely stamped out in Ruili, the school is providing a safe haven for its students.

"I am accustomed to living on the campus now," Geng said. "We (children) are still striving to realize our dreams."