Politics
11:14, 01-Aug-2017
Combat vehicles show strength at International Army Games 2017
[]
Share
Copied
By CGTN‘s Meng Qingsheng
The first day of the 2017 International Army Games, organized by China's ground force, has concluded in the city of Korla in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Armed forces from China, Russia and Angola take part in the Suvorov Attack. Each of the fighting vehicles has to go through three laps of a 4.3-kilometer track and various obstacles including a water pit, landmine zone, and a ditch. It's a test of combined military expertise designed for only the bravest.
Infantry fighting vehicle from Russia runs into a water obstacle at Suvorov Attack event. /CGTN Photo
Infantry fighting vehicle from Russia runs into a water obstacle at Suvorov Attack event. /CGTN Photo
Chinese participants come from the 79th army group of the Northern Theater Command. Most of the team members attended previous editions of the games. One of the Chinese crew leaders, Li Zhou, said, “We’d like to win the championship of today’s event. But I think what’s more important is to present some of the best performances of the Chinese army and to learn from others in order to keep improving.”
Running along competition track in the middle of the Gobi desserts in northwestern China’s Xinjiang. /CGTN Photo
Running along competition track in the middle of the Gobi desserts in northwestern China’s Xinjiang. /CGTN Photo
The Russian team is selected from armies from across the country. They are best known for their skills in maneuvering armored vehicles. A Russian crew leader, Pavel Vasilievich Kniazi, felt it was relatively easy for them at the event. “Although we are not familiar with the competition track, we are able to adapt to the conditions here very quickly,” he said.
It requires more than excellence to win the game.
According to Chief Referee Xu Youze, the individual race tests the combat ability of the whole team. The crew leader, gunners, and drivers should have a better understanding of their equipment. It’s a test of how the three positions work together to handle each situation.
Chinese soldiers work together during the individual race event. Suvorov Attack is a teamwork of participating crew leader, gunners and drivers. /CGTN Photo
Chinese soldiers work together during the individual race event. Suvorov Attack is a teamwork of participating crew leader, gunners and drivers. /CGTN Photo
China gained an advantage over its rivals Monday. Three more countries will also compete on August 4. A relay race will be held on August 12 to bring the 2017 international army games to a close.