China hosts elite soldiers competing in international war games

World Today

Elite soldiers from ten countries are in China, preparing to take part in an Olympic-style military competition. This year, the People’s Liberation Army helped organized the annual international army games.

CGTN’s Meng Qingsheng was at the opening ceremony.

Call it the military Olympics – an international competition that attracts elite soldiers representing nearly a dozen countries.  The games kicked-off with an opening ceremony that incorporated cultural elements from both China and abroad. It heralds in a fierce competition ahead for all in the coming two weeks. The 28 events of the 2017 International Army Games will be held in China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan respectively.

A Chinese paratrooper coaches his South African peers to use Chinese rifles during a recent tactical training exercise at a military training base in central China’s Hubei Province. They are in preparation for the Airborne Platoon event of the International Army Games (IAG) 2017. / photo courtesy chinamil.com.cn

The annual military event was first launched by Russia in 2013. It covers a whole range of combat skills by ground troops, the Navy and air force. Since then, the Chinese army has attended the games three times, but this is the first time for the army to get involved as one of the organizers. Expectations are high among the participating countries. 

Foreign paratroopers descend to the ground with parachutes after jumping out of transport helicopters. Teams of paratroopers from different countries are in preparation for the Airborne Platoon event of the International Army Games (IAG) 2017 in central China’s Hubei Province. /photo courtesy chinamil.com.cn