China-India border clash: Shenzhen drone maker helps Chinese army keep tabs on ‘foreign force’, praises workers
- Drone maker Keweitai Enterprise Development praised two workers who sustained injuries while helping the Chinese army in clashes at disputed border
- The company’s WeChat post offers a glimpse at how private tech companies are helping augment Chinese military power
A Shenzhen drone maker has commended two employees for supporting Chinese troops on the ground during last year’s Himalayan border clash with India, giving a rare glimpse into how the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is using technology services from private companies to boost its capabilities.
Shenzhen Keweitai Enterprise Development Corp, which sells drones under the brand All Tech, published an article on its official WeChat account on Thursday, saying the company is very proud of its role in helping the Chinese army during the border clash. It then singled out what it called the brave actions of two employees at the conflict site.
According to the post, which was taken down on Friday but widely republished by other Chinese social media and news portals, Zhao Bo and Shi Zhilong supported the Chinese army in its surveillance of “illegal activities by the foreign force”.
While helping the military handle the company’s drones in Galwan Valley, 5,000 metres (16,000 feet) above sea level, Zhao and Shi aided the PLA’s medical teams in tending to the wounded and “helped with cooking” for the troops when field kitchens were short-handed, Keweitai said its post.
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Shi suffered from serious altitude sickness and lost 11kg (24lbs) during the process, according to the company, while Zhao suffered an accidental fracture in his left foot and a sprained right hand. Both said they were proud of their deeds.