China’s Special Forces go through intense training to ensure that the top soldiers of a country that views itself as the world’s rising superpower can be as versitile as possible.
China’s People’s Liberation Army Special Operations Force is responsible for commando and counter-terrorism operations, and specializes in rapid-reaction combat. For the past two years, Chinese special forces units have taken first place at the annual Warrior Competition in Jordan against 18 countries, including the US and Russia.
The Warrior Competition is like the Olympics of military special operations. China’s top spot in the event signals an increase in the quality of training and equipment for the country’s military personnel. This new emphasis on special forces comes at a time of heightened tension throughout east Asia over China’s aggressive stance towards territorial disputes with its neighbors and Beijing’s willingness to redraw borders to fit its agenda.
Tensions have increased to such a point that one professor at a Chinese military university wrote an op-ed stating that World War III would begin on China’s periphery, likely over maritime issues. China’s Special Forces may have been created and nurtured with this kind of major military engagement in mind.
A video from Chinese broadcasting company CCTV 7 features an in-depth look at the sort of training activities that Chinese Special Forces based in Hong Kong go through.
It’s possible that this video isn’t a totally accurate representation of the training regimen —that it’s a carefully choreographed projection of Chinese military competence and strength.
At the same time, it shows that China is serious about developing a special forces component for its military, at the same time that it’s implementing policies that could vastly change the region’s security dynamic.
Training for the Special Forces requires a mixture of physical and tactical training, along with team-building exercises.
The trainees compete in full body exercises in a harsh environment …
… As well as dexterity tests, such as this rope bridge.
The training regimen tries to stretch the trainees’ nerves as far as possible, as these men crawl through mud beneath fire and past simulated explosions.
Later on in the course, the trainees are made to crawl below barbed wire.
They’re also trained in physical combat — with real knives.
Snipers in the Special Forces also practice hitting targets as small as bottle caps from hundreds of yards away. In 2011, a Chinese sniper won the 10th Military and Police Sniper World Cup in Budapest.
And there are vehicular drills, too.
One of the hottest video games has some hilarious glitches
‘LEAGUE OF LEGENDS’ FINALS: Meet the kids facing off in the biggest sporting event of the month
The weird reason why video games are released on Tuesdays
There’s a Snake in my Soup! We Taste Test Some Popular ‘Soul Food’ from Hong Kong
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
A trip to hell on Japan’s ‘vomit ship’: Is it as bad as everyone says it is?
Japanese breast size study shows rapid growth in previously smallest-busted region of county
Japanese police are not messing around, with Patlabor robot mecha out on display 【Video】
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Duolingo to open first pop-up store Duomart in Japan for a very limited time next month
There’s a new museum in Japan, but almost all of its location is a secret
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply