Chinese SWAT team gearing up for upcoming APEC meeting

With the APEC Meeting just around the corner, Beijing has heightened security to ensure the week-long meeting runs smoothly. In recent days, drills to combat terrorist activities have been carried out. And for the first time, China's SWAT team took part in the drills.

Beijing has been preparing for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, which it hopes will boost economic cooperation and raise the city's international profile. The government has also heightened security to ensure the week-long meeting runs smoothly.  [Special coverage]

In recent days, drills to combat terrorist activities have been carried out. And for the first time, China's SWAT team took part in the drills.

An anti-terrorism drill was held at a conference center in a suburb of Beijing. The scenario was a terrorist hijacking of a bus full of people.

The joint-drill was held by the People's Armed Police Corps, and China's SWAT Team, the Snow Leopard Commando Unit.

To complete the mission, the Snow Leopard Commando Unit was divided into two teams. One team deployed drones to inspect the hostage situation. The images were transmitted to the commander cars. The second team acted as negotiators. The drill was a success.

"We carried out the drill before the actual meeting. The aim was to test troop response to emergency circumstances. We successfully met all the criteria to combat terrorism. We're confident that we can ensure a successful launch of the meeting," Li Zhenghe, deputy chief of staff of Snow Leopard Command Unit, said.

The Snow Leopard Commando Unit, or SLCU, is a special operation unit under the People's Armed Police. It coordinates with the Beijing SWAT unit and is tasked with many security responsibilities for major events, such as the Beijing Summer Olympics and APEC Meeting.

Only officers who have served in the People's Armed Police for over a year are able to apply. They are also required to do a series of physical and psychological tests.

As the youngest counter-terrorism community in China, the SLCU has successfully completed multiple emergency tasks over the past years.

To ensure a smooth and safe APEC meeting this year, the SLCU has undergone months of training exercises, including for disposal of bombs.

"Unlike other combat operations, bomb disposal can't tolerate one mistake. Once it fails, it not only cost the lives of our soldiers, but massive damage to the lives of others. We are required to follow all protocols and rules in the practice," Liu Xiaobing, supervisor of SLCU, said.

The People's Armed Police hopes it can increase the combat capabilities of the soldiers and ensure a safe Beijing during the upcoming APEC meeting.