China's guard of honor in hard training before Army Day

Striding forward in strict, synchronized steps, all in high spirits, the guard of honor of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has presented its most impressive face to the world.

The guard of honor of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) taking part in the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2015. [Photo: Xinhua]

Established in June 1953, China's guard of honor of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the PLA has completed more than 4,000 ceremonial tasks and appeared on the world stage no less than five times.

In advance of Army Day (August 1st) honor guards spared no effort to ensure a perfect turn-out at the major military event.

But it's far from easy becoming a qualified honor guard. You have to experience tough training in intense heat or severe cold.

It is said each honor guard exudes a ton of sweat, wears out seven shoes and walks 8,000 kilometers in training each year.

Male soldiers must be 1.88 to 1.92 meters in height, be able to march 116 steps per minute, each step measuring 75 centimeters. Female soldiers are 1.73 meters on average in height, but must parade at the same speed, with the same length of stride as the males.

An instructor measuring the height of a female soldier's leg during straight-leg march training on July 29, 2016, ahead of Chinese Army Day on August 1. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Soldiers completely drenched after a half day training session on July 29, 2016, ahead of Chinese Army Day on August 1. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

The guard of honor of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the military parade commemorating victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on September 3, 2015, in Beijing. [Photo: Xinhua]

The guard of honor of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) march as the first division in the military parade of 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009. [Photo: 163.com]

The guard of honor of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) march as the first division in the military parade of 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1999. [Photo: Xinhua]