The Chinese army used to be famous for breathtakingly fast marches, which resulted in many surprise attacks against enemy forces and dramatic victories since it was founded on August 1, 1927.

Military sources with the army said the poorly equipped force of workers and farmers had to rely on their feet in races against time to beat fully-armed enemies during the anti-Japanese war from 1937 and 1945, and the Korean War in the early 1950s.

But there are no traditional infantry troops in the Chinese barracks nowadays, as motor vehicles and armored carriers enable them to march faster than before.

Artillery has become the biggest weapon for the army, which used to rely on rifles to beat enemies armed with cannons and airplanes.

Changes in reconnaissance troops and engineering units

The change in Chinese reconnaissance troops is even more dramatic.

In the old days, the weapons most frequently used by reconnaissance soldiers were a piece of rope and a dagger, which were very helpful for the soldiers to catch an enemy soldier alive for intelligence.

Since the mid-1990s, Chinese reconnaissance troops have been equipped with high-tech facilities such as unmanned planes, battlefield video systems, thermal imaging systems, and battlefield intelligence processing systems, as well as silenced guns and other light weapons.

In addition, modern Chinese reconnaissance troops can drive motor vehicles, ships and can be airborne if necessary, and operate advanced technology and equipment to gather intelligence in all weathers.

Engineering units, one of the longest serving branches in the Chinese army, also have taken a fresh look thanks to the camouflage troops in recent years.

Armed helicopters have become part of the army and are one of the surprise attack forces of the army.

Many familiar images of the army have disappeared, including trumpeters and cavalry.

Trumpet calls, which were used by the Chinese army to encourage fighting spirit and cause panic among enemies, are now out-of-date.

There used to be up to 12 cavalry divisions in the Chinese army, but it became non-existent as a combat force, said the sources.

Only two cavalry battalions are retained for the purpose of shooting film and television dramas.

( June 20, 2002)