CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Female soldier recruitment is in full swing in China in the first half of 2024. Up to now, 248 young women in Chongqing have signed up for the physical examination and comprehensive quality assessment of female soldiers. If they pass the examination and assessment, they will become the ‘roses in the army’.

Before International Women’s Day, we interviewed the Mobile Forces Division of the Chongqing Corps of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force. Let’s see how female college students have grown into soldiers.

The Mobile Forces Division of the Chongqing Corps of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force is mainly responsible for major tasks such as security guarantee and emergency rescue. The division includes one female soldier squad consisting of girls who were university students before joining the army.

Zhou Shuanglin, the squad leader, and a sergeant in the armed police, majored in accounting at Tianfu College of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics before she joined the army in September 2016. When most of her contemporaries were dreaming of songs and distant lands far away, she resolutely chose to join the army, saying that guarding the border would be her dream and distant lands.

Chen Xueling, a sergeant in the armed police, had majored in computer sciences at Chongqing College of Electronic Engineering before she was enlisted in September 2017. She said, “The hardships we bore when we were young were valuable treasures for us, which helped us to stay passionate and positive, and realize the value of our life."

Zhang Hong, a second-class staff sergeant, studied hotel management at Chongqing City Vocational College before joining the army in September 2018. She won fourth place in the women's 100m race at the Sports Meeting of Chongqing Armed Police Corps in November 2023. She said, “Don't stop running. Don't look back. Look forward and move forward.”

Huang Pengyu, a corporal in the armed police, studied preschool education at Chongqing University of Education before joining the army in September 2019. She said, “Youth is about struggling and fearlessly embracing all the unknown opportunities and challenges. I will not stop moving forward even if I am walking among thistles and thorns.”

Wang Lin, a corporal in the armed police, studied photography and video creation at Chongqing Vocational College of Media before joining the army in September 2020. She won the second place in the women’s 100m race at the Sports Meeting of Chongqing Armed Police Corps in November 2023. She said, “Life is a process of gaining experiences. No accumulated steps, no thousands of miles. No small streams, no rivers.”

Zhang Yu, a first-class airman in the armed police, studied pharmaceutical engineering at Bengbu Medical College before joining the army in March 2023. "I will steer the boat of my life with courage, strength, intelligence, and perseverance," Zhang said.

Liu Xiyang, a first-class airman in the armed police, majored in big data management and application at Anhui Xinhua University before she was enlisted in March 2023. “Young people should not fear any difficulty.”

Yao Ziqiong, a first-class airman in the armed police, studied midwifery at Wannan Medical College before joining the army in March 2023. She won second place in the women’s 1000m race at the Sports Meeting of Chongqing Armed Police Corps in November 2023. She said, “Tea could only give off its fragrance in boiling water, and we will become mature and stable under the spur of difficulties and challenge.”

As a part of the Mobile Forces Division of the Chongqing Corps of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, they immerse themselves in hard work and training. The flowers that once grew in the greenhouse have blossomed defiantly today.

These young girls coming from all different backgrounds, met and knew each other in the army. They share joys and hardships and devote their youth to the military without regret. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)