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As summer vacation begins, military training is being conducted across China, and even elementary and kindergarten students have been seen training with mock guns and daggers. On the 21st, numerous videos of kindergarten and elementary school students undergoing military training were posted on Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo. During the summer vacation period, universities and high schools throughout China conduct 2 to 3 weeks of military training.

During the summer vacation, military training is being conducted across China, and even elementary school and kindergarten students have been seen training while holding mock guns and daggers.
[Photo by Weibo]

Although China is a volunteer military system, not only university students but also high school students are required to participate annually in military training organized by regional military units. This year, about 2,400 elementary and middle schools have been designated as pilot schools and have begun basic military training. It is also reported that a legislative amendment to make military education mandatory from the first grade of elementary school is under review.

Amid summer vacation military training taking place across China, scenes have been captured of kindergarten and elementary school students training while holding mock guns and daggers.
[Photo by Weibo]

Students mainly receive security education and drill training, but recently the intensity of training has increased with the use of drones and mortars. In some schools, actual firearms have been used for shooting practice, air raid drills, and night marches. Furthermore, training on the use of mock guns and daggers is also conducted to promote physical fitness and patriotism. Amid this social atmosphere, the number of kindergartens conducting their own military education is also increasing.

This expansion of student military training is also attributed to the declining birth rate, which reduces the young population available for military service, making recruitment increasingly difficult. The Chinese military emphasizes the necessity of expanding education, stating that "national defense education in elementary and secondary schools is the foundation of national security" and that "basic combat skills must be learned from an early age." They even argue that "as seen in the Ukraine war, future wars will require the mobilization of all citizens."