Chinese female SWAT teams triumph in UAE Challenge debut

China's special police forces made a powerful debut at the 7th UAE SWAT Challenge in Dubai, with two women's teams securing standout results on Saturday, the first day of the five-day international competition.

Held from Saturday to Wednesday organized by Dubai Police, the event has drawn elite law enforcement units from around the world to compete in one of the most demanding tactical competitions globally.

China fielded six teams in total with two female SWAT contingents participating in the event for the first time.

Saturday's opening event, the Assault Event, tested teams' precision and composure under pressure. Competitors navigated complex obstacles while wearing full protective gear, including gas masks, required to engage targets with accuracy and speed.

"We just performed to our normal training standard, keeping steady and composed. Our approach is to start controlled, move smoothly, then accelerate. In a way, to strive for win lies in being laid-back, while behaving easygoing may lead you to win. To deliver our current level of capability is already quite awesome," said Liang Jiarui, a member of China's female SWAT team.

Both Chinese women's teams delivered strong performances on the opening day, with the Sichuan Provincial Female SWAT Team claiming first place among all female squads in the Assault Event.

"Our eight female officers from Sichuan stayed calm, composed, and resolute, delivering our normal performance and exemplifying the SWAT creed: how we train is how we fight," said Gui Hanzhi, head of the Sichuan Provincial Female SWAT Team.

Throughout the competition, Chinese teams will contest five high-intensity events: Assault Event, Hostage Rescue, Officer Rescue, Tower Assault, and Obstacle Course.

Each day features one discipline, with medals awarded for individual event rankings and an overall championship determined by cumulative scores across all five categories.

Chinese female SWAT teams triumph in UAE Challenge debut

Tehran residents have expressed their skepticism over the renewed diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States in Oman.

Commenting on the indirect negotiations on Friday between Iran and the United States that focused solely on Iran's nuclear issue, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that they were a good "start," but there is a long way ahead to build trust.

With no defined outcome reached during the talks, uncertainty remains over whether negotiations will continue or not.

Tehran resident Elham said she doesn't have hope towards negotiations with Washington.

"They have been negotiating for almost 22 years. I think it has been over 20 years. And every day it is postponed (to next week, next year)," said Elham.

"War is not good for anyone. It is bad for the U.S., West Asia, regional countries, and also Iran. If sides can reach a rational conclusion, it is in the best interests of both," said Zare, another Tehran resident.

Tehran resident Mohsen said the indirect negotiations are fake and do not make sense.

"And it is an erosive issue regarding the new global order," said Mohsen.

With no clear timetable, sanctions still in place, and regional tensions running high, many Iranians are waiting to see whether diplomacy will bring tangible results or yet another round of delay.

Iranian public remains skeptical of talks with Washington