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What’s wrong with the weight of Chinese military personnel? Why did the military authorities impose mandatory weight limits?
Under the Reform and Development Outline for Military Sports Training (2015-2020) issued by the four general departments of the People’s Liberation Army, enlisted personnel must meet the mandatory weight limits, and military sports training will be linked to personnel management as well as honors and awards. In future, all ranks who wish to be promoted or transferred, or to seek further study, must compete in their military sports training grades.
“Carrying excess weight is indeed common. It not only damages the image of service personnel, but also constrains combat capacity. A soldier’s weight could reflect the results of his daily training and basic competence, and to some degree reflects the PLA’s efforts in building a force able to win,” said Luo Yuan, deputy secretary-general of the China Association for Military Sciences.
“In times of peace, all countries’ military personnel tend to get overweight,” said Professor Li Daguang, of the National Defense University. This could be attributed to a modern lifestyle and a changing diet. Excess weight reduced soldiers’ speed, stamina and coordination, making them less focused and dampening their ability to adapt to an adverse environment, and therefore damaged the overall combat capacity of an army, said Li.
There had long been suggestions from the military for a compulsory weight control standard, Li said. Such suggestions, however, were not realized until the issuance of the outline, which used various stipulations to make military training more comprehensive. By enhancing institutional development of military sports training, the authorities could help make personnel more aware of the necessity of engaging in sports training. “To have a stronger army, soldiers must be stronger. It is essential if the PLA hopes to advance actual combat training and win regional electronic warfare,” said Li Daguang.
