Studying Hard to Get into a Prestigious University... Freshmen in Military Uniforms Shooting Guns in China

Tsinghua University military training scene. Photo by Tsinghua University

Freshmen at China's prestigious Tsinghua University underwent a 20 km marching training.

According to local media such as CNR, the march began at midnight on the 25th, with students carrying military gear and wearing uniforms as they set out. Tsinghua University stated, "The students were excited on their way to training," "They help and encourage each other," and "Morale is always high and enthusiasm is intense."

About 3,500 freshmen at Tsinghua formed a 'Student Military Training Brigade' composed of 4 battalions and 32 companies. They will receive military training on campus from the 19th of this month until the 6th of next month. The nighttime 20 km march conducted that day is considered the highlight of Tsinghua's military training program. While the juniors were marching, seniors also came out to cheer them on. Seniors who had already completed the military training supported the juniors' journey with military band performances. The students' march ended only at 4 a.m.

This scene, reminiscent of the former gyoryeon (military training) classes in Korea, is a type of military training called 'junxin (軍訓)' in China. Unlike Korea, China starts the new school year in September and conducts training before the full school life begins. It usually lasts about two weeks, but some universities that conduct longer programs hold training for about a month.

The purpose of junxin is to strengthen patriotism, organization, and discipline. China amended its Military Service Law in 1984 to make junxin mandatory for freshmen in universities and high schools. Although it was virtually ineffective at first, it was actively promoted after the 1989 Tiananmen incident, with universities taking the lead.

Tsinghua University, along with Peking University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is known for the intensity of its training. Schools aiming to follow these prestigious universities are also known to put great effort into junxin. Although programs vary by school, those that include live-fire shooting and individual tactical training are said to be comparable to actual military training.