Zhoiger dries the cheese cubes at home in Yumai township, Lhunze county, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Oct 29, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Yangzom (left) and her sister Zhoigar look at photo of their father in Yumai, on Oct 29, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Yangzom and her son pose for photo in Yumai, on Oct 29, 2017. Her son is the first college student of Yumai. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers present khatag to Zhoigar (left) and Yangzom in Yumai, on Oct 29, 2017, after the two heard from Xi. They celebrate the event in a festive mood.

Zhoigar, Yangzom and other residents pose for photos in Yumai, on Oct 29, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

A panoramic view of Yumai, China's smallest town in terms of population, which sits at the southern foot of the Himalayas. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhoigar and Yangzom, two women from a herding family in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, received President Xi Jinping's reply on Saturday.

Their family is based in Yumai, China's smallest town in terms of population, which sits at the southern foot of the Himalayas, where steep slopes and rugged paths make access difficult.

Zhoigar and Yangzom wrote a letter to Xi while the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was in session in Beijing. They told Xi their experiences in safeguarding the border area and the development of their township over the years.

In his reply, Xi acknowledged their efforts to safeguard the territory, and thanked them for the loyalty and contributions they have made in the border area. He also encouraged them to set down roots in the border area, safeguard the Chinese territory and develop their hometown.