Chinese PLA Guard of Honor train hard to present professional image

Soldiers in the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), whose disciplined marching and striking presence have graced military parades in Vietnam, Russia and Belarus this year, undergo strict training and meticulous preparations to present a polished and professional image across the world.

At one of the PLA Guard of Honor camps in Beijing, soldiers spoke to China Global Television Network (CGTN) about their training for these prestigious parades.

Shi Bin, who is 33 years old, was the flag bearer of the PLA's formation at a military parade held in Belarus this May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War.

"In my daily training, I usually add 10 more kilograms of weight to the top of the flagpole. This is because in our overseas missions there are many uncertainties, such as the environment, the site, and the wind direction, which can make a change in the weight of the flag. So for us flag bearers, we need to be even stricter in our daily training," said Shi.

Zhang Zeyang is also an experienced soldier who has participated in many overseas military parades, including in Belarus and Pakistan in 2024.

So far, he has participated in over 300 missions with the Guard of Honor.

"Before our missions, we usually take two to three hours to arrange our uniforms and carry out maintenance. That includes sewing, ironing and repairs," he said.

"I think that attending overseas military parades showcases the image of our great country, as well as the PLA's rigorous work style and discipline and good formation," he continued.

No matter whether in Vietnam, Russia, or Belarus, the appearance of the PLA Guard of Honor often stirs excitement on the streets.

During a practice session before a military parade in Moscow in May, Liang Hao was shown in a video that has been watched many times covering the muzzle of his firearm with his left hand as the formation passed close to local residents.

"It was subconscious behavior. At that time, we were marching with parade steps and the street was a bit narrow. There were lots of people watching. I took that action to make sure nobody got hurt. So I took a subconscious move to cover the muzzle of the firearm with my hands to protect the masses. I watched the videos online after returning from abroad. I believe I was simply fulfilling my responsibility," he said.

The Guard of Honor, as the public face of the PLA, has exacting standards for its members, who on average are 1.87 meters tall and aged around 22.

When marching in parades, every step they take should be precisely 75 centimeters.

The so-called "eight parts” that they need to keep aligned as they march include their hands, legs, chest, and the brims of their hats.

Chinese PLA Guard of Honor train hard to present professional image

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests