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Chinese paratroopers dropped in Qinghai-Tibet's highlands

By Zhao Chenyan | People's Daily Online

A group of Chinese airborne forces parachuted into the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau on 9 August, marking the successful completion of the air force’s first large-scale airborne drill in the plateaus.

The successful drill means that the Chinese air force now has the ability to carry out airborne operations in the highlands.

At 8 a.m. on 9 August, a group of airplanes flew through the clouds scattered over the high plateau of northwestern China as 600 fully-armed paratroops waited onboard for the order to jump.

The large-scale airborne drill in the plateaus had a series of obstacles that threatened the paratroopers, including thin air, less oxygen as well as strong wind zones stretching thousands of kilometers.

Yao Hengbin, the chief commander of the drill, said that they have undergone acclimatization training and had made plans for various emergencies ahead of the drill. They also have overcome the above difficulties.

At 8:35 a.m., the paratroopers bailed out of the planes, their shoots exploding outward one-by-one like so many flowers blossoming in air. And just after landing, they quickly launched attacks against mock targets.

Fan Xiaojun, the political commissar of the force operating the drill said that the operation was of great significance for the Chinese air force. It proved that the Chinese airborne force could implement operational tasks at any time for an emergency in the highlands.

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