September is the beginning of the new academic year. But also, for the majority of Chinese students, the beginning of September means the start of the military training course.

According to China's National Defense Education Law, the military training for university and high school students begins either before school starts in September or after National Day in October. As some schools have an earlier start, such training is now in full swing. 

The origin and development of military training in China

Actually, China's military training can be traced back to the Xia (2100 –1600 BC) and Shang dynasties (1600 –1100 BC). In the Shang dynasty, due to the increased wars among vassals, the rulers attached great importance to military training. In addition to regular training, they also provided military education for the children of nobles at all levels throughout schools.

According to the "Rites of Zhou," an ancient Chinese work on organizational theory, and other written records, schools in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100 - 771 BC) were dominated by the practice of martial arts, and the instructors were usually army officers. The main content of military training included archery and five kinds of chariot riding methods. 

Although China was still weak at that time, the promotion of this military training system did benefit the nation. 

After the outbreak of China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, a large number of students who had received basic military training joined the army to fight the invaders. Compared with other soldiers with no experience, it was easier for them to integrate into the army and master advanced weapons and tactics.

Good for student integration 

Today's China has much more wealth and is more powerful, but the country has not involved in any war for many years. So, what's the point of student military training? Every year during the military training season, there is much discussion online.

For many students who have just entered the high schools, the very first lesson they learn is that military training is indeed a hard experience. It is not surprising that some new students feel hard to stand it.

What's the purpose for student military training? Schools' answers vary, but with one thing in common - mainly to strengthen students' willpower.

Military training is mainly an exercise on students' willpower and character, and a way for new students to get to know each other, said a relevant person in charge of the Capital Normal University High School in Beijing.

Military training in some schools combines cultural activities with training. According to Beijing Youth Daily, a military training instructor shocked the audience by singing an Italian song at the 2019 welcome party of Tsinghua University (THU) in Beijing. Many netizens even said that they wouldn't dare to work in THU as a instructor without also having a special talent.

Recently, the newly completed military training of Hunan University has taken on the theme of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Sohu.com reported.

It intended to improve the willpower of new students through training, so that they understand the value of persistence, and develop endurance and the necessary spirit to bear hardships and hard work. Military training can not only help freshmen integrating into college life and into the "first class of the new term," but also is an excellent opportunity for students to improve themselves, Sohu.com reported.

(Cover image made by Gao Hongmei)