Can of worms: pictures of elite Chinese female soldiers eating creepy-crawlies in training reignites debate about women’s role in military
Some internet users in China say women should not be subjected to same tough drills as male top units
Photographs of female soldiers chewing mealworms as part of their training in a special operations unit has sparked a debate online in China about the role of women in the military and whether they should go through the same tough drills as male elite units.
The women were also pictured in a report by the state-run news agency Xinhua retrieving and reassembling a gun placed in a glass box with a snake inside.
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The women were recruited for the unit at the No.14 Field Army base in Kunming in Yunnan province, according to the report. They will be deployed in combat, but they report did not specify in what roles.
The first batch of 22 women enlisted in the special operations unit had proved they were just as capable as their male counterparts, the article said.
“The women soldiers are more meticulous and responsive and they will do well in sneaking behind enemy lines in accomplishing their missions,” Yang Yuchang, an instructor in the brigade, was quoted as saying.
Yang said the team of 22 was picked from 55 women soldiers after passing physical fitness, shooting and psychological tests.
One recruit, a woman sniper, beat most of her male rivals after finishing a 10km race, the article said.
The report has sparked a polarised response on Chinese social media.
Many internet users said the training was unnecessary “torture” for women and it was men’s job to join special warfare units due to their physical strength.
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Some also complained that women having to chew worms was disgusting.
There has been a debate in countries around the world over the role of women in the military and whether they should be deployed in combat units.
