Female guards represent motherland
Print Edition
THE Chinese People’s Liberation Army used female soldiers as honor guards at a diplomatic ceremony for the first time in its history yesterday.
Thirteen female soldiers stood in the PLA’s honor guard at the east gate of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. With male comrades, they were addressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
“I feel proud and lucky,” said Cheng Cheng, one of the female honor guards who serves as PLA Air Force flag bearer.
“Not only do we represent the army, but also the motherland,” Cheng added.
It was the first time female soldiers featured in the PLA’s honor guard in its 62-year history, and the first time that they have served in a diplomatic ceremony, said Li Bentao, head of the honor guard.
The first group of female honor guards, 30 in total, were recruited in February and underwent intensive training for three months. They are above 1.73 meters tall and 80 percent hold college degrees.
Liu Haiming, political commissar of the PLA honor guard, said female soldiers and officers play increasingly important roles in combat, training and other missions.
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