Chinese female special forces feature in anti-terrorism drill

A multinational anti-terrorism military exercise has officially kicked off in North China's Inner Mongolia region. There's a special feature in this year's training. And that is a team of Chinese female soldiers.

A multinational anti-terrorism military exercise has begun in North China's Inner Mongolia region. The troops are from China and the four other nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This year's exercise includes a team of Chinese female soldiers.

In just a few days, Chen Ye of Chinese Army Special Operations Force will play her part in the finale of the Peace Mission 2014 joint military drill. Just 23 years old, she is ready to give a boost to regional stability.

"I have always wanted to serve in the military. My brother is in the military too. I admired him a lot when I was young, and I said to myself that I want to serve too. So that is why I am here," Chen said.

Life in military service is not easy.But after one and a half years of training, she has become strong in both body and mind.

"I have become more mature, and more responsible. My brother always looked out for me when I was young. So I never cared about others. But now I have changed. I've leaned how to take care of other people," Chen said.

Chen is one of 30 female special ops soldiers that have been assigned to take part in the drill.

Although male and female special forces are under the same training program, the training intensity for women is relatively low. But they have something that their male counterparts cannot compete with.

"Compared to their male counterparts, female special ops agents are more adept at conducting reconnaissance, hostage negotiation and infiltration of enemy lines, because it's easier for them to disguise themselves and confuse the enemy," Ma Shifu with Chinese Army Special Operations Force said.

More than 7,000 multinational troops have been carrying out tactical training since their arrival, all in a lead up to the final drill on August 29. The team of 30 female soldiers mainly train and coordinate with the four other militaries on hostage rescue and reconnaissance in a simulated city arena.

The use of women in special operations is not entirely new in China, but melding it with modern special operations units is. And the six-day exercise will be a good chance to test how ready they for real anti-terror operations.