China's Army is pretty Impressive Looking

[Maxa]

China is an authoritarian nation; shows like this are important for them as a way to project strength and unity (and it seems to work, too, since the OP was clearly impressed). As Kacaier points out above, you can't explain an emphasis on marching simply in practical terms (if Chinese soldiers wanted to stay fit, why wouldn't they simply jog or exercise normally?). Its value is symbolic more than anything.

[Pandonetho]

China is an authoritarian nation; spectacle is important for them as a way to project strength and unity (and it seems to work, too, since the OP was clearly impressed). As Kacaier points out above, you can't explain an emphasis on marching simply in practical terms (if Chinese soldiers wanted to stay fit, why wouldn't they simply jog or exercise normally?). Its value is symbolic more than anything.

And I completely agree with that. I know all about China's authoritarian nature. Symbolism is important in this world. It has a strong presence, it gives image to China. We don't all see real life war and its "glory, and all its horror" as Mengsk would say. I'm sure they do plenty of training besides marching, but I don't think it hurts to have a good image either.

[EndlessSky]

I also assume it teaches discipline as well which is important in any military believe me.

You know the Romans had a very disciplined, organized and trained military force that many thought to be one of the most powerful in the world and in the end they still lost to a bunch of barbarians because they weren't used to their tactics.

[Maul]

Off-topic: Since when did SC:L start censoring what words are said? That's bs.

On-topic: It is kind of impressive in a sense, but a military's primary objective isn't to look good it's to get the job done and imo they're obviously spending too much time on appearances lol.

[Pandonetho]

Off-topic: Since when did SC:L start censoring what words are said? That's bs.

The only things that were censored were curse words. I'm pretty sure it's a one time thing anyway, for now.

On-topic: It is kind of impressive in a sense, but a military's primary objective isn't to look good it's to get the job done and imo they're obviously spending too much time on appearances lol.

But appearances are important! Well, if anyone would care to do so, go check up China's actual military training and see how it's like (I don't know what it is that they do myself).

[Quirel]

Does this remind anybody else of Catch-22? Schiesskopf would've thought he'd died and gone to heaven.

Just stay on the subject of the thread and how it progresses.

Infractions have been given up until this point in the thread and I encourage people to continue with the subject and not the content of the offending posts.

Personally, sir, I prefer a bright red [CENSORED].

In any case, I have a question about the weapons that those soldiers are holding. What are they? They don't look like anything I've seen before, but all I know is that those types of guns (with the mags behind instead of in front) are pretty ugly IMO.

QBZ-95. I thought it was the 97, but it's got the forward grip.

And I'll have you know, the Bullpup-type assault rifle is THE weapon of the future, giving soldiers a longer barrel in a shorter weapon, meaning that it can be easily carried in urban environments. They're beautiful...

Ok, so maybe not as beautiful as a pristine Sturmgewehr or an AKM-47, but it has a rugged futuristic look to it.

Off-topic: Since when did SC:L start censoring what words are said? That's bs.

Hardly.

On-topic: It is kind of impressive in a sense, but a military's primary objective isn't to look good it's to get the job done and imo they're obviously spending too much time on appearances lol.

Yeah, the fact that they've got 2 million ground troops means that they are clearly running a second-rate army.

These guys are ceremonial, probably not combat. Kind of like the guys guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

[Pandonetho]

Thanks for the input Quirel. I didn't know that stuff.
Hm, so those weapons are called bullpup... I agree, that it does have a futuristic-ish look to them... but I can't get over how much I hate the AUG's look. It's sooo ugly, (I like the G36C's appearance personally).

But also, now that I just searched it up, I didn't know the p90 was bullpup as well, and I love that gun too.

These guys are ceremonial, probably not combat. Kind of like the guys guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Interesting. They certainly do have enough people for that.

[Kacaier]

But also, now that I just searched it up, I didn't know the p90 was bullpup as well, and I love that gun too.

The FN P90 is hardly what I consider a traditional bullpup though. It's loaded from the top, has a horizontal clip, and the casings are ejected downward (versus from the side). The whole thing is a pretty revolutionary design if you ask me.

Interesting. They certainly do have enough people for that.

If you watch the parades, you'll notice most of them are of the same height.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKVQWGzAA0A

This signifies that they are selected from a criteria. Of course, in the event of war, I doubt the PLA will care if their soldiers are of a good uniform build. So as Quirel pointed out, these aren't your basic frontline soldiers.

[//MavericK\\]

Let's just hope the US and its allies never have to go to war with them.

We would lose a stand-up fight, I think.

Some of these images are obvious propaganda, though. How often does a
bee land on your face in the middle of a wide-open concrete training area.
And sit still for the perfect picture. Come on.

[Pandonetho]

Some of these images are obvious propaganda, though.

Psh, we're talking about China here.