A Tajik herdsman kisses the hand of his visiting brother who lives 140 km away, Nov 24, 2014. [Photo by Wang Lie/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang Lie enjoys his dual identities, that of a People's Liberation Army soldier and a photographer.

The 37-year-old political instructor of a battalion is now on duty in Tashkurgan, China's only Tajik autonomous county in Xinjiang's Kashgar prefecture.

During his 18 years of service on the Pamir Plateau, the amateur photographer has been recording the daily life of the Tajik people who reside in the sparsely populated mountainous areas.

China Daily Website brings you a series of Wang's photos. This third series focuses on the ethnic Tajik group's greeting kiss and customs.  Part I: Family love ; Part II: Outdoor life