New recruits of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) take part in training to adjust their standing postures in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, October 16, 2013. Photo：Reuters
New recruits of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) take part in training to adjust their standing postures in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, October 16, 2013. Photo：Reuters
A military officer shouts an order to soldiers of the Guards of Honour of the Three Services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) during a training session at a barracks in Beijing on July 21, 2011. Photo: AFP
A military officer shouts an order to soldiers of the Guards of Honour of the Three Services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) during a training session at a barracks in Beijing on July 21, 2011. Photo: AFP
China

Soldiers of the one-child era: are they too weak to fulfill Beijing's military ambitions?

With 70pc of soldiers from one-child families, many wonder if they could cope on battlefield

Minnie Chan
Minnie Chan

Updated: 4:29am, 6 Feb, 2014

Why you can trust SCMP
New recruits of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) take part in training to adjust their standing postures in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, October 16, 2013. Photo：Reuters
New recruits of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) take part in training to adjust their standing postures in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, October 16, 2013. Photo：Reuters
A military officer shouts an order to soldiers of the Guards of Honour of the Three Services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) during a training session at a barracks in Beijing on July 21, 2011. Photo: AFP
A military officer shouts an order to soldiers of the Guards of Honour of the Three Services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) during a training session at a barracks in Beijing on July 21, 2011. Photo: AFP
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