Skip to main content

China opens military installation for public


By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Two military barracks in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, have opened to the public recently, offering displays of their equipment as well as wrestling, rope walking and rock climbing.

More than 3,000 people attended the events on the morning of August 15, part of a national plan aimed at bringing the military and citizens closer together by opening more than 600 barracks to the public. 

The two barracks in Wuhan belonged to the People's Armed Police Force and the PLA Air Force's Airborne Corps. Officers and soldiers performed demonstrations of their combat skills, such as wrestling and bayonet fighting, and displayed weapons and equipment used in training - things rarely seen, let alone touched, by members of the public. 

In the barracks yard of the airborne corps, the main site of the activities, sweating participants gathered around parachute packs, waiting for a chance to wear them, even though the temperature was around 35 C.

Others took the chance to talk with soldiers, asking them how the weapons and equipment on display worked and what they were used for.  
"I'm a military fan and have been considering joining the People's Liberation Army, so I wanted to learn more about their equipment," Liu Zhenhao, a sophomore student, remarked. 

He had learned about the open day from an announcement at his university while he was required to pass a short national defense knowledge test to qualify for the visit. 

Li Qian, a 65-year-old retiree, scored 92 out of 100 points in the test. A fan of both the military and photography, he took photos of the soldiers from different angles throughout their performances.

"I learned more about both the military equipment and their developments by participating in the activity. I will share the photos and what I learned today with my family," he said. 

Zhu Hao, 27, a soldier from the Air Force barracks, was in charge of introducing some of the equipment, which he had been training with for eight years. 

"Many people have seen similar equipment in TV dramas or movies, so they were interested to know more about it. We hope people can get to know us better through activities like this," Zhu stated. 

The plan to open more than 600 barracks to the public, announced last month, covers four of the PLA's five branches - the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force - and the People's Armed Police Force. 

To help the public better understand the achievements of China's national defense reform and developments in its military, the barracks will be opened during major festivals and on commemoration days. 

"We hope the public will be able to truly see what the military and its soldiers are like," Zhu added.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

University of Karachi Sindhi Department Students Organize Book Festival During Students’ Week

KARACHI: Students of the Sindhi Department at the University of Karachi (UoK) have organized a book stall as part of Students’ Week, promoting reading habits, literature and a culture of learning among students and visitors. The book festival is being held from September 29 to October 2, 2026, with the stall open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The initiative is being managed by students of the Sindhi Department, who are making books accessible to readers throughout the event. The student-led initiative comes at a time when concerns are growing over the decline of reading habits and the diminishing role of books in everyday life. The festival provides an opportunity for students, book lovers and members of the public to reconnect with literature and explore a variety of written works. Books play an important role in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening critical thinking and introducing readers to different experiences, histories and ideas. Literature also encourages empathy, broadens ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Renowned Urdu Fiction Writer and Psychologist Hasan Manzar Passes Away

Karachi: The Urdu literary community is mourning the death of renowned fiction writer, author and psychologist Hasan Manzar, whose literary contributions explored the complexities of human psychology, social behaviour and the realities of life. Remembered for his distinctive literary style and profound understanding of human nature, Hasan Manzar earned recognition for his ability to portray the psychological dimensions of human experiences and relationships. His writings offered deep insights into the complexities of individual and collective life. His passing has left readers, writers and admirers of Urdu literature grieving the loss of a distinguished literary voice. His work remains an important part of his literary legacy and will continue to engage readers for generations to come. Hasan Manzar's writings were distinguished by their exploration of human emotions, psychological conflicts and the social circumstances that shape people's lives. Through his fiction, he brought...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dr. Zeelaf Munir Calls for Supply Chain Reforms to Strengthen Pakistan’s Food Security at Breathe Pakistan 2026

  Karachi: At the recently held Breathe Pakistan 2026 conference, where EBM participated as the principal partner, the company’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. Zeelaf Munir emphasized the urgent need to rebuild Pakistan’s agricultural supply chain to ensure long-term food security and sustainable development. Addressing participants at the event, Dr. Zeelaf Munir stated that while initiatives such as improved seeds, affordable credit facilities, and crop insurance are important, they alone cannot transform the lives of smallholder farmers unless the supply chain that follows agricultural production is fundamentally restructured. She highlighted that Pakistan’s food security is being “made or lost” within the post-farm supply chain, stressing that inefficiencies in storage, transportation, distribution, and market access continue to limit the benefits reaching farmers and consumers alike. Dr. Munir further noted that the transformation required in Pakistan’s agri-food sector must ...
Post a Comment
Read more